The 2023 wide receiver class is relatively lacking compared to recent drafts, but this year will provide teams with a number of high-end options at the tight end position. One of the top prospects is being connected to a few different teams in the first round order. 
Michael Mayer is widely seen as the most well-rounded tight end in this year’s celebrated class. The Notre Dame product had high-end production in each of the past two seasons in particular, totaling 138 catches, 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns. Over that time, he also demonstrated a strong run blocking ability, setting him apart from other seam-stretchers who were primarily tasked with playing a role in the passing game. Mayer was named a consensus All-American in 2022.
That has earned him interest from several teams in the pre-draft process, and led to the expectation that he will be a first-round lock. The Packers have frequently been connected to a pass-catcher of some kind with their top pick – which now sits at No. 13. Selecting a tight end could put them in consideration for Utah alum Dalton Kincaid, but SI’s Albert Breer notes that Green Bay has most often been named as a team interested in adding Mayer. The latter is likely to have a more immediate impact in the NFL given his skillset, something which could be of particular benefit for an offense transitioning to Jordan Love under center.
Should Mayer slide into the 20s on Thursday, he can still be considered a lock to hear his name called that night. Veteran NFL reporter Mike Giardi tweets that the Cowboys are high on the former Fighting Irishman, and Dallas represents his floor. The Cowboys own the No. 26 pick, and have a need at the TE spot after losing Dalton Schultz in free agency. Kincaid may represent a more direct comparison for Schultz, but Dallas has ton “a ton of work” on Mayer, per Giardi.
A number of other tight ends beyond Mayer and Kincaid are projected to be drafted on Day 2 and make a considerable impact, meaning Green Bay and Dallas will both have secondary options to choose from. It would appear their preference, however, would be to acquire Mayer on Thursday as part of their offensive re-tooling.
I’d love to see GB take JSN or Addison at 13, then trade back in to get this kid.
Give Love the tools you never gave Aaron.
Never gave Aaron….look at the WRs they developed while he was there. Stop listening to the fools in the national media who promote a false narrative out of laziness and ignorance.
Twenty, go ahead and list the guys they’ve developed. Adams as you number 1 and who was their next best receiver in his last year with GB?
Lazard with a whopping 500 yards receiving, MVS with 430, and Jones with 391. Hardly a stand out group of pass catchers man.
Lazard was good enough for him that he wanted him in NY. He forced GB to bring back Cobb who was obviously not near what he was in the past. He threw a fit about Jake freaking Kumerow being cut. It’s not like Aaron is over here with the best track record of players who he wants to throw the ball to.
Yea..jordy…tae…aaron jones…lacey…
No tools.
Bird. Surely you didn’t just mention Eddie Lacey as a weapon. Can’t even take you seriously.
Just to humor you though, you listed TWO receivers out of what a near 20 year stretch?
Sign me up for pairing guys like Adams with a secondary talent. Instead they draft guys like MVS, EQ st. Brown, and Josiah deguara and sign guys like sammy watkins
Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver, Javon Walker, Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb. All were over 1100 yard receiving years. 10 plus td’s. Multiple Pro Bowls. Jordy, driver, Jennings, walker all with multiple 1000 yard seasons.
Did you list Javon Walker? Dude, he was traded away while Favre was still QB!
Driver, Jones and Jennings were there when Rodgers took over, then they drafted Finley and Nelson as Rodgers became starter. Cobb drafted in 2011 then Jennings left/ Driver retired after 2012, Finley retired/Jones left after 2013. Thats 4 guys gone in 2 years with only one added. Adams drafted in 2014, Nelson gone after 2017, Cobb 2018. Who in the hell have they drafted since then that wasnt a 4th rounder or later?
Imagine if the Bengals never drafted Chase because they thought Boyd and Higgins were enough. Or the Vikings didnt replace Diggs because they still had Thielen. You have to keep supplying your QB with talent, not just settle on the fact they have one good one and fill the rest of your receiver room with project garbage.
Lol Javon Walker? Don’t think he even played when Rodgers was the starter man.
You need to pair talent with talent. Between Jennings, Nelson, and Adams that covers your number 1 receiver.
The gap in the last 6 years between the #1 and #2 receiver was so steep. The last time a packers #2 receiver hit 800 yards was 2016…when they had Nelson as the 1 and Adams as the 2.
Zero depth at WR since that.
I’d prefer Darnell Washington. Easily replaces Marcedes Lewis and has much higher upside as a receiver than Lewis too
Cowboys are taking RB with there first pick, if Bijon is there he’s the pick, if not they will take Gibbs. The RB depth drops off tremendously after the top two backs, the TE position is the deepest it has ever been..
I’d agree to the first part, if Bijon somehow falls to them he’ll be the pick. If not, I’d wait instead of taking Gibbs. There are some other good backs to be had in the 2nd or 3rd (TCU, UCLA, Ole Miss RBs to name a few), just like where they drafted Pollard. They got other areas I’d address before selecting Gibbs.
I don’t like Mayer in the first round. High floor with a low ceiling, Bcs he just isn’t a great athlete. Sure he’ll likely be a top 10 TE pretty quickly..but I really doubt he ever makes top 5. Not what I want my team drafting in round 1.
Cowboys need OL. I’d take a Guard before a RB in the 1st. Grab an RB in the 2nd or 3rd
I am fine with going with another position like o-line over RB I just don’t think TE is position of need. I think Ferguson and Hendershot both showed last year a lot of development at that position.
Not sure I would spend a 1st round pick on a tight end, as they are very injury prone given the requirements/collision potential of that position. Sort of like taking a middle linebacker or a strong safety.