Notre Dame's all-time leading receiver at tight end, Michael Mayer has developed into a steady two-way piece for the Raiders since arriving as a second-round pick in 2023.
Michael Mayer built his reputation at Notre Dame as one of the most complete tight end prospects in recent memory, pairing sure hands with willing blocking. Now in his fourth NFL season, he remains a key part of Las Vegas's offense, tasked with replacing the production the Raiders lost when they moved on from Darren Waller.
Path to the league
Mayer set Notre Dame's tight end record with 180 career receptions for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns from 2020 to 2022, earning consensus All-American honors as a junior, the school's first at tight end since Ken MacAfee in 1976. The Raiders traded up to select him 35th overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Mayer has been a consistent contributor since entering the league, tallying 83 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns across his first three NFL seasons while also handling in-line blocking duties. His draft-day comparisons to Jason Witten have centered on his combination of size, hands, and blocking technique.
2025 season recap
Mayer started 12 of the 13 games he played in 2025, catching 35 passes for 328 yards and a touchdown while also chipping in on defense with special-teams tackles. He remained a primary target in the Raiders' passing game and their top blocking tight end.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Michael Mayer (American football)
- Pro Football Reference: Michael Mayer
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
13 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | raiders | 13 | 35 | 328 | 9.4 | 1 | 23 |
| 2024 | raiders | 11 | 21 | 156 | 7.4 | 0 | 29 |
| 2023 | raiders | 14 | 27 | 304 | 11.3 | 2 | 32 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Notre Dame
- Hometown
- Independence, KY, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
Latest news about Michael Mayer
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Kirk Cousins and Maxx Crosby Scuffle at Raiders Practice
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