The tight end position is certainly one of the biggest needs for the Indianapolis Colts. Could Michael Mayer be the answer? The Las Vegas Raiders youngster is reportedly on the trade block according to Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic:
“The Raiders have had discussions with teams who have interest in tight end Michael Mayer, according to league sources. Mayer hasn’t had the impact the Raiders hoped for when he was drafted in the second round in 2023. He had just 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games as a rookie. He missed six games due to personal reasons in 2024 and was delegated to a marginal role due to the ascent of tight end Brock Bowers, who was named a first-team All-Pro.”
“Mayer will be on a team-friendly rookie contract for two more seasons and there are several teams who thought highly of him as a prospect. With Bowers in tow, it could make more sense for the Raiders to trade Mayer for assets rather than having him locked into a relatively small role.”
The Colts need a major upgrade at tight end. Mayer hasn’t emerged as an impact player yet. But he has the potential to be one.
The Indianapolis Colts Should Trade For Tight End Michael Mayer
Looking Back at His Career
Michael Mayer attended Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky. As a senior, he caught 49 passes for 970 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Mayer then played college football at the University of Notre Dame. During his three seasons with the Fighting Irish, he caught 180 passes for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns. In his final season, Mayer surpassed former Pro Bowler Tyler Eifert to become Notre Dame’s all-time receptions leader at tight end.
The Raiders drafted Mayer in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started 12 games as a rookie, recording 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, he took a back seat to Brock Bowers, who had an amazing rookie season in Las Vegas. Mayer finished the season with 21 receptions and 156 yards in eight starts.
Why the Colts Should Acquire Him
Again, the Colts are in desperate need of a tight end. In 2024, Kylen Granson and Co. combined for only 39 catches, 467 yards, and a pair of touchdowns.
Mayer was a big-time star at Notre Dame. Yet, he hasn’t had a fascinating NFL career just yet. He’ll likely never get the opportunity to do much with the Raiders, especially now that Bowers is in town.
“Perhaps a fresh start is what Mayer needs while the Colts continue to rebuild their tight end group,” is what Jake Arthur of si.com wrote. That may be true. Sometimes a player becomes a star after they move to a different team. That could prove to be the case for Mayer.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has struggled so far as a passer. Maybe the addition of Mayer could help him out as a much-needed short-yardage option.
Many mock drafts have the Colts taking Penn State tight end Tyler Warren in the first round. But if Indianapolis can trade for Mayer, they can focus more on adding a defender like Georgia safety Malaki Starks. We’ll see what happens.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images
