Fantasy Index

Around the NFL

Raiders might trade Michael Mayer

A fresh start might spark former second-round pick

A report in The Athletic over the weekend indicates the Raiders have been taking calls on Michael Mayer. That catches my eye. He hasn’t been able to get over the hump, but I’m not ready to write him off.

Mayer, recall, was an early second-round pick two years ago. He wasn’t a standout as a rookie, but I remember one pretty spectacular grab in a Sunday night game against the Jets.

That one can be seen on Trusty Old YouTube.

Mayer’s circumstances changed a year ago when the Raiders selected Brock Bowers in the first round. That contributed to a lesser role for Mayer, and he also stepped away from the team for six games for unspecified personal reasons. But he came back and had a game against Tampa Bay where he caught 7 passes for 68 yards.

I would think there will be some team that will be interested in bringing in Mayer in hopes of getting him going.

At the same time, typically when a tight end doesn’t do much in his first two seasons, that usually means it’s just not going to happen.

Below see the list of all tight ends selected in the second round in the 32-team era. You’re seeing their total stats in their first two seasons.

Of the tight ends who were less productive than Mayer in their first two seasons, and I don’t see many who ever ended up doing much. Martellus Bennett had some productive years. Anthony Fasano and Vance McDonald played a lot of ball, but didn’t tend to accumulate big numbers.

If Mayer gets traded into the right spot, he’ll start to look like a roster possibility, but let’s see.

SECOND-ROUND TIGHT ENDS; FIRST TWO YEARS
DraftPlayerTgtNoYardsTDPPR
2010Rob Gronkowski, N.E.183132187327487.5
2023Sam LaPorta, Det.203146161517413.9
2021Pat Freiermuth, Pitt.17712312299301.9
2008John Carlson, Sea.163106120112298.1
2016Hunter Henry, S.D.11581105712258.7
2013Zach Ertz, Phil.1469411717253.1
2007Zach Miller, Oak.15410012224246.2
2022Trey McBride, Ari.14511010904243.0
2018Dallas Goedert, Phil.131919419239.1
2011Kyle Rudolph, Min.1327974212227.2
2012Coby Fleener, Ind.135788896206.9
2006Tony Scheffler, Den.102678359204.8
2004Ben Troupe, Ten.134888595203.9
2020Cole Kmet, Chi.137888552185.2
2011Lance Kendricks, St.L.122708714182.3
2018Mike Gesicki, Mia.121737725180.2
2019Irv Smith, Min.90666767177.6
2003L.J. Smith, Phil.100616986166.8
2002Doug Jolley, Oak.91636593146.9
2008Fred Davis, Was.86515366140.3
2017Gerald Everett, LAR82495645140.3
2014Austin Seferian-Jenkins, T.B.77425596133.9
2023Michael Mayer, L.V.72484602108.0
2023Brenton Strange, Jac.62454463107.6
2008Martellus Bennett, Dall.57354424103.2
2019Drew Sample, Cin.5945379188.9
2023Luke Musgrave, G.B.5641397186.7
2014Jace Amaro, NYJ5338345284.5
2023Luke Schoonmaker, Dall.5135306383.6
2013Gavin Escobar, Dall.2818239677.9
2003Teyo Johnson, Oak.3523259366.9
2015Maxx Williams, Balt.4832268164.8
2006Anthony Fasano, Dall.4528269160.9
2017Adam Shaheen, Chi.2017175460.5
2006Joe Klopfenstein, St.L.3722263260.3
2014Troy Niklas, Ari.7771226.1
2013Vance McDonald, S.F.2710149024.9
2004Kris Wilson, K.C.533306.9
2009Richard Quinn, Den.31901.9
2003Ben Joppru, Hou.0000.0

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index