100 Days of Mocks: Packers Pick Tight End in McShay’s Mock

In Todd McShay's second mock draft, the ESPN draft guru went with a "bulldozer" who would be an "instant-impact player."

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Credit ESPN.com’s Todd McShay for knowing the Green Bay Packers’ draft history.

“We project a pass-catcher to the Packers in Round 1 year in and year out, and every time the first round rolls around, they go another direction,” McShay wrote in his new mock draft.

The Packers haven’t taken a first-round receiver since Javon Walker in 2002; and none before that since Sterling Sharpe in 1988. They haven’t taken a first-round tight end since Bubba Franks in 2000.

That history didn’t stop McShay from going with Notre Dame tight end Max Mayer with the 15th selection.

“After missing the playoffs and potentially losing Allen Lazard and Robert Tonyan to free agency, the Packers’ hand might be forced in 2023 – no matter who is under center,” McShay wrote. “Mayer has a huge catch radius and is a bulldozer after the catch, hauling in 67 balls for 809 yards and nine scores last season. He might be the safest prospect in the entire class thanks to an all-around skill set, and he'd be an instant-impact player for Green Bay.”

Mock 2.0 is here. Let’s go! https://t.co/ooBN8iPGQx

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) February 15, 2023

It's not just Tonyan but it’s Marcedes Lewis, too. This is a something-for-everyone kind of draft class at the position. Mayer is the best combination of receiver and blocker.

The most prolific pass-catcher among tight ends in Notre Dame history, Mayer caught 71 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021 and 67 passes for 809 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022.

Among tight ends in this draft class, Mayer ranked second in receptions and yards, first in touchdowns, second in yards per pass route, first in contested catches (by a wide margin) and fifth in missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.

He was one of three college tight ends invited to Tight End University, the annual gathering of football’s top tight ends that’s put together by George Kittle and has included Tonyan and Lewis.

“The first thing I knew when I came out of there was, ‘Dang, I’ve got to get better at some stuff,’” Mayer told Rivals. “These guys were getting out of their breaks faster than me. They were getting up to catch balls, that type of thing. And I think that was one of the reasons I wanted to go. What did these guys do differently than I do? How are they getting out of their breaks faster than I do? And I got a lot out of it.”

100 Days of Mocks

Starting Jan. 17, when there were 100 days until the start of the NFL Draft, we started our mock-worthy goal of 100 mock drafts in 100 days. Here’s the 100-day-countdown series.

71 days: 33rd Team trades Rodgers in two-rounder

71 days (bonus): Todd McShay 2.0

72 days: Packers take receiver to start NFL.com three-rounder

73 days: Packers fill big need with big man

74 days: Rodgers traded, take two pass-catchers in first round

75 days: Two NFL.com mocks, two different tight ends

76 days: Tight end and pass rusher in two-rounder by NFL Draft Bible

77 days: Rodgers traded to Raiders for No. 7 pick

78 days: A seven-round mock includes Big Ten playmakers

79 days: Rodgers traded in two-round mock

80 days: Packers take safety in ESPN mock

81 days: Aaron Rodgers traded in three-round mock

82 days: Seven mocks, including NFL.com

83 days: Two pass-catchers in first-round mocks

84 days: Aaron Rodgers traded for extra first-round pick

85 days: PFF picks a pass rusher

86 days: Tight end in NFL Draft Bible Mock

87 days: Packers trade back, get extra second-rounder

88 days: Sorry, vacation day.

89 days: A “Eureka!” moment in two-round mock

90 days: Playmaking cornerback at PFF

91 days: Three defensive backs in seven-round mock

92 days: Kiper takes a tight end

93 days: Safety first for Bucky Brooks in NFL.com mock

94 days: College Football News mocks Mayer

95 days: Two firsts if Rodgers is traded

96 days: NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah goes back to Georgia

97 days: This pick would break a long drought

98 days: Stud tight end

99 days: Trading for outside linebacker

100 days: First-round quarterback?