So I have been messing with some draft sims

[Sydla]

In many of them, the best available at our pick tends to be Michael Mayer.

Now, he's probably the best TE in the draft. And if were the clear BPA, I'd take him but there but there just appears to be so many needs this team now has - DT, CB, LB............. it's tough taking a TE in that spot.

 

[RS12]

I don't want a skill player in the first but I would take Mayer late 20s in the first and not think twice.

 

[Dalmations202]

In many of them, the best available at our pick tends to be Michael Mayer.

Now, he's probably the best TE in the draft. And if were the clear BPA, I'd take him but there but there just appears to be so many needs this team now has - DT, CB, LB............. it's tough taking a TE in that spot.

Since FA happens first, did JJ sign DSchultz or let him walk? I must admit that if Schultz walks, and Mayer is available, I would probably take him if I were in JJ place.

If I signed Schultz to a stupid contract, still have Ferguson, Hendershot, and McKeon....................other needs would come first.

 

[Mr_437]

I'm not a fan of taking a TE in the 1st round, but it does make sense from this standpoint:
1) Mayer can block so he helps the run game.
2) Mayer is a versatile receiver that even splits out wide on CBs.
3) Mayer run after catch is good as well.
4) The TE room would be crazy talented and have swag plus a dawg attitude.

Again, I'm not a fan of a TE early like that, but I wouldn't fuss about the pick, he's a good player that would fit moreso than a WR imo.

 

[Sydla]

So I went with the mock again and passed on Mayer.

27 - Bresee, DT, Clemson
58 - Flowers, WR, BC
91 - Jones, OT, OSU
126 - Benton, DT, Wiscy
159 - Miller, RB, TCU
223 - Brents, CB, KSU

I think we likely have more picks than this but this is all PFN had. You can tell I want an overhauled DT room.

Then one with Mayer:

27 - Mayer, TE, ND
58 - Davis, DT, Clemson
91 - Garner, CB, LSU
126 - Vorhees, OG, USC
159 - McIntosh, RB, UGA
223 - Cropper, WR, Fresno

 

[beware_d-ware]

Talent-wise, I have no questions about Mayer. He's the real deal. So it really just boils down to positional value.

There are few positions I dislike drafting early more than tight ends. They have a low impact on the offense/low WAR, have a 3 to 5 year learning curve, and are cheap to sign in free agency. It's like one PFF writer said about drafting 1st round guards. "The problem is, you're usually drafting another team's stud guard."

In the past 12 years, the 4 biggest rookie TE seasons have been.

Kyle Pitts, 1018 yards
Evan Engram, 722 yards
Noah Fant, 562 yards
Mark Andrews, 552 yards

So frankly... 500 yards from a rookie TE is hitting it out of the park. They start off VERY SLOW.

Notice that top 20 picks Eric Ebron, OJ Howard, and TJ Hockenson didn't even crack 500 yards as rookies. All three got dinged up with injuries, but they only averaged about 30 yards a game when they played.

So in year 1, Mayer likely gives you less production than Dalton Schultz does now. Long term, he's got more upside, but how long is it going to take for him to reach his ceiling?

I think that Mayer will become an excellent pro, but are we going to have to wait 2 or 3 seasons for him to become a $15M-$18M kind of player? If that's the case, it makes more sense just to pay Schultz.

 

[xwalker]

So I went with the mock again and passed on Mayer.

27 - Bresee, DT, Clemson
58 - Flowers, WR, BC
91 - Jones, OT, OSU
126 - Benton, DT, Wiscy
159 - Miller, RB, TCU
223 - Brents, CB, KSU

I think we likely have more picks than this but this is all PFN had. You can tell I want an overhauled DT room.

Then one with Mayer:

27 - Mayer, TE, ND
58 - Davis, DT, Clemson
91 - Garner, CB, LSU
126 - Vorhees, OG, USC
159 - McIntosh, RB, UGA
223 - Cropper, WR, Fresno

Where did Ika go?

 

[Sydla]

Where did Ika go?

Can't remember. I think in one he was a 2nd rounder. The other, he came off well before I made any of my picks so not exactly sure where he went.