NFL TE Compares Michael Mayer to Future Hall-of-Famer

Longtime NFL tight end Kyle Rudolph compared Las Vegas Raiders second-round pick Michael Mayer to one of the best tight ends ever to play the game.

The NFL Draft is all about comparisons. 

Usually, prospects are compared to current players, but any comparisons to the former legends of the game are a whole other conversation.

That's why the Las Vegas Raiders could have something special with their second-round pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, tight end Michael Mayer.

Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph compared the Notre Dame product to one of the greatest tight ends of all time, Rob Gronkowski, via NBC.com.

"I think the biggest thing when you look at Michael Mayer, as opposed to many of the other tight ends that are coming out of the college game today, is just his ability to do both for you," Rudolph said. "I think the tight end position is one that, it's a lost art. And guys that are that old-school player who can line up next to the tackle and be competent in the running game. Often times guys in today's game have to be lined up on the backside of the formation or split out wide because they don't want to get them involved in the run game; they're a liability in the running game. And that's not Michael Mayer.

"You can really see Michael's progression as a blocker from his freshman year through his junior year at Notre Dame, and obviously, Josh McDaniels has significant familiarity with a tight end who can do both. He spent a lot of time with Rob Gronkowski in New England. And Michael fits that mold as well. They're very similar type players: old-school guys who will get down and dirty in the trenches but also be very productive in the passing game as well."

Here is a complete list of every 2023 Raiders draft pick and links to more information about them:

Round 1 No. 7 overall pick: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

Round 2 No. 35 overall pick: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Round 3 No. 70 overall: Byron Young, DT, Alabama

Round 3 No. 100 overall: Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati

Round 4 No. 104 overall: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland

Round 4 No. 135 overall: Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue

Round 5 No. 170 overall: Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia

Round 6 No. 203 overall: Amari Burney, LB, Florida

Round 7 No. 231 overall: Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State

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