Top NFL trade candidate tight end Michael Mayer is still available on the market and he could sign with a contender this offseason. According to Pro Football Focus, they’re naming him again on the trade block since the emergence of Brock Bowers made Mayer expendable, so he might not have a role in the Las Vegas Raiders’ passing game anymore. With that, the Raiders are already open to trading him since they’re building a new regime under head coach Pete Carroll, so he no longer fits into that system. Originally selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the former Notre Dame product had one of the most unproductive double seasons in the league.
It’s no wonder the Raiders are moving on to greener pastures. Bowers is more than capable of becoming their starting tight end after the team got him in last year’s draft. Despite the slow start, Mayer does have the size and abilities to be a reliable blocker for a team that needs him for their ground game. The tight end won’t start for his next team, but he’s a capable pass catcher that a team could take a chance on to see if they could revive his career.
Mayer is still on a rookie contract as well, so that’s one thing to remember for teams looking for a quick answer. With that, these two contenders could use his services to upgrade their offense.
Chiefs, Ravens Could Pounce on NFL Trade Candidate Michael Mayer During Draft
AfterLife of Travis Kelce
The Kansas City Chiefs will undergo several changes in the next two seasons after there have been rumors that Travis Kelce is on the brink of retirement. Kelce is returning, but this could be his final season with the Chiefs, so the team signed another tight end in Robert Tonyan, who was on their practice squad already last season. The Chiefs will likely draft a new tight end to help relieve the pressure of finding the next “Travis Kelce,” and while that won’t likely happen, they could trade for Michael Mayer. He is more than capable of excelling in this passing game as the Chiefs as the ingredients, and they just need the sauce, like Mayer, to stir the pot, especially for Isiah Pacheco’s ground game.
Pacheco is on thin ice this upcoming season. Mayer is a big body that can create separation and be another servicable pass catcher in play-action moments. The Raiders could use him in those special plays while they keep Kelce fresh for the postseason. He won’t surpass 500 yards, but he wouldn’t need to to make an impact.
Bye Mark Andrews?
Meanwhile, backup veteran Mark Andrews continues to be in several trade rumors this offseason. Even though the Baltimore Ravens already said they’re keeping Andrews, there’s a chance the team could trade him if the right offer presents itself. No is not taking Isaiah Likely’s job unless he suffers an injury. Mayer doesn’t need to start, but he just needs to be capable enough to create some screen separation in certain plays.
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