Jaguars Draft: Is Michael Mayer the missing piece in the offensive puzzle?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering the 2023 NFL Draft with high hopes, as they look to build a winning team around young quarterback Trevor Lawrence. One position of need for the team is tight end, and there are few players in the draft who could make a bigger impact than Notre Dame's Michael Mayer.

Mayer is widely considered to be one of the top tight-end prospects in the 2023 class, and for good reason. The 6'5", 240-pound pass-catcher is a versatile athlete with a rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism. The Notre Dame product is a natural receiver with excellent hands and the ability to make difficult catches in traffic, and he's also a willing blocker who can help open up holes in the running game.

For the Jaguars, Mayer could be the missing piece in their offensive puzzle. Lawrence needs a reliable target in the middle of the field, and Mayer has the potential to be just that. His size and athleticism would make him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and his versatility would allow the Jaguars to use him in a variety of ways.

In his three seasons at Notre Dame, Mayer emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country. As a freshman in 2021, he caught 42 passes for 567 yards and four touchdowns, earning Freshman All-America honors in the process. He followed that up with a strong sophomore campaign, catching 48 passes for 735 yards and eight touchdowns.

Mayer's junior season was perhaps his best yet, as he caught 57 passes for 923 yards and seven touchdowns. He was a key part of Notre Dame's offense, and his performance earned him first-team All-America honors from several media outlets.

Michael Mayer would give the Jacksonville Jaguars a huge target in the middle

If the Jaguars were to draft Mayer, they would be getting a player who has the potential to be a star at the next level. Mayer is a natural receiver with excellent hands and the ability to make tough catches in traffic. He's also a willing blocker who can help open up holes in the running game. He's a versatile athlete who can line up all over the field, creating matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Of course, there are some concerns about Mayer's game that the Jaguars will need to consider. One issue is his lack of top-end speed, which could limit his ability to create separation at the next level. Additionally, he's still developing as a blocker, and there are some questions about his ability to hold up against NFL-caliber defensive linemen.

Despite these concerns, Mayer's potential as a receiver makes him an intriguing option for the Jaguars. With Lawrence under center, the team has the opportunity to build a dynamic offense that can compete with anyone in the league. Adding a player like Mayer to the mix would only make that offense more dangerous.

In the end, the decision to draft Mayer will come down to how the Jaguars view his potential and how they prioritize their needs in the draft. However, there's no doubt that Mayer has the talent and potential to be a game-changing player at the next level, and if the Jaguars believe in his ability, he could be the perfect addition to their young and talented offense.