The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for another rebuild, which could mean a Michael Mayer trade is on the way. Selected with the 35th-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Notre Dame product was widely viewed as one of the better tight end prospects in the draft class and generated some first-round buzz in the pre-draft cycle. Landing with the Raiders, Mayer began his career on a promising note by recording 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns while providing reliable play in the trenches.
Tight ends normally have one of the hardest adjustments to the professional game, and while he didn’t have the same success as fellow 2023 draftee Sam LaPorta, he showed enough as a rookie to believe that a Year 2 leap was possible. However, those hopes ended when the Raiders selected superstar tight end Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Bowers is a legitimate stud, a born-again Travis Kelce who is already in the discussion for the best tight end in the league. He’s a foundational player for this Raiders team, but his emergence came at the expense of Mayer.
Competing with Bowers and missing time with personal issues, Mayer has recorded just 17 receptions for 135 yards and no touchdowns in 10 games. While he is just 23 years old, there’s a good chance the Raiders could trade Michael Mayer to a team with lesser tight ends. Seeing as they’re likely to trade up for a quarterback, Vegas needs all the draft capital they can get, and the following five teams could use a player like Mayer on the roster.
5 Teams That Could Trade For Michael Mayer After the Season
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have arguably the worst tight end room in football. While veteran Will Dissly isn’t an active liability, the veteran is no spring chicken and the rest of the depth chart leaves a lot to be desired. Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win games in the trenches, and having a reliable tight end goes a long way toward realizing that vision. Perhaps Michael Mayer won’t ever become a 100-catch player, but he’s an adequate receiver and his above-average blocking ability should make him an ideal fit for this run-heavy attack.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have their quarterback of the future in UNC’s Drake Maye. Now, they must provide him with an adequate supporting cast to avoid an Andrew Luck situation. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are both on the wrong side of 30, so even if both players return for 2025, New England must find younger options at the position. Nobody will confuse Michael Mayer with Rob Gronkowski, but he could find a home in New England. The Patriots could clinch the first-overall pick in Week 18, so perhaps the Raiders throw in Mayer as they aggressively trade up for someone like Miami’s Cam Ward.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints will not rebuild, but their disastrous salary cap situation means the team won’t be able to chase elite talent on the free agent market. General Manager Mickey Loomis must explore trades as a cost-effective way to add playmakers, and Michael Mayer is one of the most likely targets out there. Mayer and quarterback Derek Carr never played together in Vegas, but that shouldn’t prevent the team from trying to upgrade a weak position. With questions along the offensive line, the Saints could use a blocker like Mayer to support what will likely be a subpar right tackle.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have some promising players on offense and will likely spend the offseason addressing the defense. While that side of the ball deserves more attention, Carolina could make a low-risk, medium-reward trade for Michael Mayer. Rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders had his moments throughout his first season in the league, but the jury is still out on whether or not he can become a legitimate starter. If he proves to be better in a depth role, he and Mayer can combine to bring adequate production to the position while supporting a reinvigorated Bryce Young.
Atlanta Falcons
It might be time to give up on former fourth-overall pick Kyle Pitts. Despite a 1,000-yard rookie season, the Florida product cannot establish himself as a reliable part of the offense regardless of the coach or quarterback. Perhaps he could earn a larger role in a new environment, but the Falcons should look for an upgrade in the offseason. Michael Mayer doesn’t have the same game-breaking ceiling, but the trade target has a higher floor and could be a good safety blanket as Michael Penix develops.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
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