Cowboys NFL Draft Target: The Next Jason Witten in Notre Dame TE?

Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer has drawn comparisons to legendary Cowboys’ tight end Jason Witten from several NFL Draft analysts.

The Dallas Cowboys have not employed a Pro Bowl tight end since franchise favorite Jason Witten earned the honor in 2017. 

With incumbent starter Dalton Schultz headed for free agency, the opportunity to break that dubious streak may present itself in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. 

Enter Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer. 

Considered to be the top prospect at the position in this year's class, Mayer seems destined fo sure-fire success in short order. 

Despite having some areas in need of improvement, Mayer could provide the Cowboys with a potential heir to Witten, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). 

"The 6-4, 265-pound Mayer is stylistically much closer to Witten,” wrote PFF's Michael Renner. “Mayer, like Witten, lacks the long speed to be a consistent downfield separator. Despite Witten's athletic limitations, he still had a six-year stretch where he averaged 92 receptions for 1,018 yards. It easy to see Mayer slotting into such a role."

During his three seasons at Notre Dame, Mayer caught 180 passes for 2,099 yards, scoring 18 touchdowns. He was also a 2022 consensus All-American, having compiled 809 yards on 67 catches and nine scores in his final year as a member of the Irish. 

Mayer has found his greatest success when utilizing his size and strength to consistently win his battles with contested catches.  When teams attempt to neutralize the middle of the field by taking away slot targets underneath, he possesses some athleticism to operate in some catch-and-run situations over the middle. When the ball is not headed his way, Mayer’s n-line blocking skills will allow for impact in both the run and pass game

Mayer’s scouting report reads similar to that of Witten, who is one of the most recovered offensive players in team history. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (69 overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. Witten ranks second in all-time career receptions and receiving yards by an NFL tight end, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. He was a two-time first team All-Pro and an 11-time Pro Bowler. While Mayer’s being compared to him is quite the compliment, it is also daunting. 

Of course, Mayer’s selection would likely mean the end of Dalton Schultz’s time in Dallas. After setting career-highs in nearly every offensive category in 2021, a nagging knee injury held him to just 57 catches for 577 yards and five touchdowns through 15 games. Still, the 6-5, 244-pound tight end is at his best when utilizing the intermediate area of the field, particularly against teams with difficulty defending it. If Schultz’s asking price is not to Dallas’ liking, he may have played his final snap as a member of the Cowboys. 

As such, Mayer may be the answer for the Cowboys at tight end. With star wideout CeeDee Lamb often drawing the attention from opposing perimeter corners, wideouts Michael Gallup, have commanded the attention from remaining members of the secondary, namely slot corners and even safeties.

Even as a rookie, Mayer has the skillset to be an immediate asset to Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense. 

The only question is whether he will still be available when Dallas is on the clock to make their first pick at No. 26. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.

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