Experts predict where Notre Dame, CovCath tight end Michael Mayer will go in NFL draft

Michael Mayer will soon join a relatively short list of Northern Kentucky high school players to make an impact in the National Football League.

The Covington Catholic graduate declared for the draft after finishing his junior season at Notre Dame, where he has racked up All-American honors. The NFL Draft is April 27-29.

Mayer finishes his college career as the most productive tight end in Fighting Irish history. He leads Notre Dame tight ends in career yards (2,009), catches (180) and touchdowns (18). He's third overall on Notre Dame's receiving list with 180 receptions, doing so in only three seasons.

This season, he broke his own single-season touchdown record for tight ends at Notre Dame with nine and totaled 67 catches and 809 yards.

He broke the single-game record for catches by a tight end when he caught 11 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-20 win over Brigham Young Oct. 8.

Mayer is a probable first-round selection by most of the well-known draft pundits, who project him anywhere from the middle to the end of the first round.

Mayer is widely projected as one of the top two tight ends who will be taken in the draft, along with Dalton Kincaid of Utah. Kincaid is considered a slightly better pass-catcher and runner than Mayer, who is considered the better blocker of the two, so it could come down to which team needs which skillset the most.

Darnell Washington, a 6-foot-7, 264-pound behemoth from the University of Georgia, is also considered a first-round pick by some pundits and second round at the latest.

Here is a look at the NFL teams who the experts consider the most likely to take Mayer.

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Detroit Lions

At least three pundits surveyed have the Lions taking Mayer with the 18^th pick in the first round. If so, he would join Holy Cross standout Derrick Barnes, who plays for the improving defense for the Lions, who have been getting buzz as a potential playoff contender in 2023.

Detroit traded starting tight end T.J. Hockenson, who has been one of the best in the NFL.

Eric Edholm, NFL.com: "The trade of T.J. Hockenson left a pretty big hole at the position. Head coach Dan Campbell should love the chance to draft a Jason Witten-style replacement in Mayer, and I think GM Brad Holmes will love the fact that Mayer is still only 21 years old."

Detroit also has the sixth pick in this year’s draft.

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “After grabbing the top ballhawk in the draft sixth overall, the Lions switch to the other side of the ball for this pick, adding a solid 'Y' tight end with the ability to make tough catches and bolster the running game."

Mel Kiper, Jr. of ESPN, one of the most-recognized draft pundits, also has Mayer going to the Lions. He has Darnell Washington going to the Bengals at 28.

“I got the Lions help along the defensive line at No. 6, and I wouldn't be surprised if they double-dipped here with another pick on defense," Kiper wrote. "That unit was that bad last season. Instead, let's pivot to the other side of the ball. They traded away T.J. Hockenson last fall and used a committee approach to the tight end position, with Brock Wright, James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra each catching at least 11 passes. All three are under contract for 2023, but shouldn't Detroit try to upgrade?”

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have the 26^th pick in the draft, with several pundits thinking that veteran quarterback Dak Prescott needs another solid target to replace another of the league’s best, Dalton Schultz. Several pundits have compared Mayer to Jason Witten, an all-time legend with Dallas.

Todd McShay, another well-known ESPN expert, has Jacksonville taking Kincaid first at 24, leaving Mayer for the Cowboys.

“Dalton Schultz out, Mayer in," McShay said. "The latter is the most complete tight end in this draft class and could be a plug-and-play starter as Dak Prescott's new security blanket. At 6-5 and 249 pounds, Mayer is a legit blocker who would provide Tony Pollard with more running lanes. And while he's not much of a vertical threat, his excellent ball skills would open up the offense at the intermediate level. He's a bulldozer after the catch.”

Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus has Kincaid going to Washington at 16, then Mayer at 26.

“Mayer is as polished a tight end as you’ll see in the draft. And he’s only a true junior,'' Palazzolo said.

Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated has Kincaid going at the 19^th pick to Tampa Bay, then later has the Bengals selecting Washington at 28 after Mayer goes to the Cowboys.

“The Cowboys would get to replace Dalton Schultz with the most complete tight end in the draft," Manzano wrote. "Mayer might not be as athletic as Kincaid, but he’s a better blocker and a quality route runner.

Green Bay Packers

Several pundits have picked Mayer to go to Green Bay with the 15^th pick in the past few months. Assuming Aaron Rodgers eventually departs and Jordan Love takes the starting QB job, the young new quarterback could need a solid tight end as a security outlet.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has Mayer going to the Packers, then Kincaid going to the Lions three picks later.

“With Robert Tonyan gone, they have a hole at tight end, a position that will be important in the growth of Jordan Love, so they take the best one in the class to help him,' Prisco said. "They could also look to add help up front on defense."

Cincinnati Bengals

No doubt, many CovCath alumni and other local fans would love to see Mayer roaming around Paycor Stadium eight or more times per year, giving Joe Burrow another young and talented target to replace Hayden Hurst.

The Bengals’ recent acquisition of free agent Irv Smith may lessen their odds of taking a tight end in the first round, but several pundits still have Cincinnati taking one of the top three tight ends with the 28^th pick. Manzano and Kiper both have the Bengals taking Washington. Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has the Bengals taking Kincaid.

ESPN’s Matt Miller has the Bengals taking Mayer at 28, the first of the three TEs to be taken. He has Washington going to Philadelphia at 31 and Kincaid going in the second round at 33 to Houston.

“The first of a loaded tight end group comes off the board as the Bengals look to develop an inside passing game to complement the outside talent assembled in Cincinnati," Miller said. "Mayer is a throwback tight end who reminds me of T.J. Hockenson, showcasing an in-line blocking game and terrific seam game as a receiver. And while he doesn't have elite speed or positional versatility, the top-ranked tight end in the class is a tremendous value at this spot, especially with Hayden Hurst hitting free agency."

New Orleans Saints

Veteran NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has the Saints taking Mayer with the 29^th pick after the Bengals take Kincaid at 28.

"The Saints need a true 'Y' tight end to enhance the passing game for Derek Carr," Brooks said. "Mayer is the total package: a soft-handed pass-catcher with the size, strength and power to control the edges as a run blocker."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Michael Mayer NFL draft prospects: Where experts say tight end will go