MARCH 3: Confirming the Raiders’ interest in pulling off a trade, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports multiple teams have checked in as it pertains to Mayer. A deal could take place as early as next week once the new league year starts, but a trade agreement could be reached at any time before that point.
MARCH 1: While the Raiders’ 2024 campaign offered more disappointments than positives, the team can rest easy knowing they have a foundational piece in rookie Brock Bowers. However, with the tight end establishing himself as one of the best players at his position, the Raiders could now look to trade some of their positional depth.
According to Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic, the Raiders have had trade discussions with teams about tight end Michael Mayer. While the former second-round pick has disappointed during his brief stint in the NFL, there are still teams willing to gamble on the player’s upside.
Drafted as the 35th pick in the 2023 draft, there was initial hope that Mayer would solidify the position for years to come. He somewhat looked the part of a starter as a rookie, finishing with 27 receptions for 304 yards and two scores in 14 games (12 starts). He was knocked down the depth chart last offseason when the Raiders added Bowers, and Mayer later landed on NFI due to undisclosed personal reasons. The 23-year-old ultimately finished his sophomore campaign with 21 catches for 156 yards.
To the Raiders’ credit, they still managed to get Mayer into about 63 percent of their offensive snaps when he was active, so the team’s two tight ends should be able to coexist. Still, as The Athletic notes, the Raiders were expecting a bigger impact from Mayer, and they could look to trade him for assets instead of keeping him around as a backup. With two years remaining on his inexpensive rookie pact, the Raiders probably aren’t feeling a whole lot of urgency, but there should be suitors willing to pull the trigger in an offseason that features an underwhelming TE class.
Mayer isn’t the only former draft pick on the block. According to The Athletic, Zamir White is also believed to be available. The former fourth-round pick showed up as a sophomore when he finished with 549 yards from scrimmage, and White seemed prime to lead the depth chart in 2024 following the departure of Josh Jacobs.
However, the RB failed to establish himself in the Raiders backfield, with the third-year player getting lapped by the likes of Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, and Sincere McCormick. White finished this past year with 213 yards from scrimmage, and any interested teams would surely be eyeing him as a depth option at this point.
Raiders gonna Raiders
Team doesn’t even have a QB and they’re ditching offensive options in both the pass game and run game after investing what a 2nd pick and 4th? And what you’re gonna get back some 6ths maybe 7ths cause they had a down year?
Might as well hold onto them and see how they mesh with your new QB who should have as many options on offense as possible.
Well Detroit might as well jump in and trade a 6th for Mayer to be TE2 behind LaPprta. Heck trade a 5th for White and Mayer white would be a nice backup behind Gibbs and Montgomery
Decent stock. Mayer could have bigger roles with teams like Bengals, Jets, Broncos or Seahawks
Zamir could be a depth piece for Ravens, Cowboys, Browns or Steelers too
@sentinelATl. Chargers could take a look at him depending on his price. He was the 2nd/3rd te behind Kincaid. Even a 5th rounder would be worth a shot.
@rex-yup lot of TE needy teams this year. I’m hoping my falcons shop around Pitts and get some stock
I can see Hawks calling on Mayer. Need a TE.
If Mayer’s head is on straight, I could see any of those or the Colts. Chiefs or Chargers could use him too.
Not sure anybody actually needs White. Think he might be a bottom of the roster guy.
Hence I said depth piece. Maybe 3rd string 2nd down back type of guy like Abdullah or justice hill
Understood. I meant more like a guy who spends time on practice squads.
Raiders would never trade him within the division.
Why? He was a dud to begin with
Why is he a dud? Guy hasn’t really played much. He has the talent to be a pretty good NFL TE. He’s a Mark Andrews type of TE. Kid has only had 70 targets thus far. Not saying Mayer is some future HOFer but for you not see the potential/talent he has is odd to me. If he truly was a dud he wouldn’t be on the trade block. He’d be cut. See Leatherwood, Alex
I meant dud as in he entered the season as RB1 and raiders had bottom 5 rush offense. I never said throw him into the trash. He needs a change of scenery
Nevermind bro. I thought you meant Mayer. I agree with you on Zeus 100%. My bad.
You good man. Nah I like maters build and college tape. He could easily be TE1 on a handful of teams like commanders colts or bengals
100%. His ND tape was good. I can see why they are trying to move him. Teams have a need.
He’s pretty slow and doesn’t do anything well.
He ran a 4.7 40. For a guy that big who can block better than many other TEs in the league. I’d say he’s fast enough. Mayer is 6’4 265LBS. By comparison Bowers is 6’3 240 Lbs. ran a 4.53. Mayer is a big boy
Raider fan here, yes they would. We’re not talking about Max Crosby here. They’ve already traded failed draft picks within the division.
Mayer isn’t a failed pick. We are not talking about Neil Farrell. Neil was on the bubble and probably wasn’t going to make the team. Thus he was traded to KC. Which is RARE. I’ve been a Raider fan since the 1980s and can’t recall many if any other trades with KC.
PS-
Mayer would make any NFL roster next season. Thus he is not a “failed pick”
White is 1 year from free agency and has been nothing but mediocre at best. Nobody is trading for him. Especially in this draft, you’re going to find day 3 guys that you get for 4 more years that can do what White does.
Mayer has some value but probably not more than a 4 or 5. I think he’d probably bring more value on the field to allow Bowers to move around.
If he’s available for day 3, the Patriots could be interested.
Giants….go get Meyers….quick…..
Mayer would be helpful to Drake Maye.
Mayer is a good TE that got overshadowed by the amazing Bowers, and taking half of the season off did not help. I’d prefer to keep him if he will only bring back a 4th or worse.
White looked like he had something his rookie year spelling Jacobs but did not perform whatsoever last season. Not like anyone in the RB room did, but still.
White was averaging 2.8 a carry or something. I don’t know what people think a change of scenery will do for him. His best games at the end of 2023 were when he had a high volume of carries. Well, he got all the carries early last year and didn’t perform. He also has a bit of a fumbling problem in the NFL. He’s one of those JAGs who come a dime a dozen on NFL rosters.
Using terms like JAG shows an obvious lack of understanding the game.
It’s what fans who don’t know what they’re talking about say to try to gloss over that fact when discussing players.
White is going into his third year, and you all are talking about a former star SEC running back like he’s some undrafted free agent from some Division III school.
Either way, there’s no such thing as a JAG in football. They all have different roles and different types. Acting like they’re interchangable shows an obvious lack of knowing ball.
if im the giants I’ll trade for him.
Crosby!?
Bears just moved on from Everett and rumor has it that Kmet’s contract is possibly on the chopping block. Mayer could be a fit in Chicago.
The Bears will take an interest in Mayer in 17 years…when he’s the same age as Marcedes Lewis 🙂
NYG, Pats, Panthers, Bengals would be perfect for Mayer, throw in too.
Come home to Cincinnati, there’s a real need and honestly he could slot right in at TE1 unless they have other concrete plans. I don’t see it taking much draft stock to get it done. Fingers crossed
I’m assuming Tee Higgins gets more money elsewhere but I would love to see Tyler Warren in that Bengals offense if he’s available when they pick. He’d be a great security blanket for Burrow while also providing balance to jamarr chase and chase brown’s boom or bust style of play.
Probably should’ve trade him two minutes after drafting Bower, but that’s 20/20. I loved the Mayer pick, but it’s gone downhill. I think he has some talent, but very little role now.
Probably need to see if Kelly sees a role for him. A change of coach might make a big difference.
If it’s true that the Raiders are willing to take a 6th round pick for Mayer, the Bears should jump all over that.
Unclemike has forbidden the Bears to part with any draft capital… so they’ll have to pass on Mayer and pursue Mike Ditka instead.
Did McDaniles draft Mayer if so NE pats.
Who ever drafts jeanty should also draft skattebo. And buy the needs you were going to get in the draft for those 2 spots.