While the Raiders’ 2024 campaign offered more disappointments than positives, the team can rest easy knowing they have a foundational piece in rookie Brock Bowers. However, with the tight end establishing himself as one of the best players at his position, the Raiders could now look to trade some of their positional depth.
According to Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic, the Raiders have had trade discussions with teams about tight end Michael Mayer. While the former second-round pick has disappointed during his brief stint in the NFL, there are still teams willing to gamble on the player’s upside.
Drafted as the 35th pick in the 2023 draft, there was initial hope that Mayer would solidify the position for years to come. He somewhat looked the part of a starter as a rookie, finishing with 27 receptions for 304 yards and two scores in 14 games (12 starts). He was knocked down the depth chart last offseason when the Raiders added Bowers, and Mayer later landed on NFI due to undisclosed personal reasons. The 23-year-old ultimately finished his sophomore campaign with 21 catches for 156 yards.
To the Raiders’ credit, they still managed to get Mayer into about 63 percent of their offensive snaps when he was active, so the team’s two tight ends should be able to coexist. Still, as The Athletic notes, the Raiders were expecting a bigger impact from Mayer, and they could look to trade him for assets instead of keeping him around as a backup. With two years remaining on his inexpensive rookie pact, the Raiders probably aren’t feeling a whole lot of urgency, but there should be suitors willing to pull the trigger in an offseason that features an underwhelming TE class.
Mayer isn’t the only former draft pick on the block. According to The Athletic, Zamir White is also believed to be available. The former fourth-round pick showed up as a sophomore when he finished with 549 yards from scrimmage, and White seemed prime to lead the depth chart in 2024 following the departure of Josh Jacobs.
However, the RB failed to establish himself in the Raiders backfield, with the third-year player getting lapped by the likes of Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, and Sincere McCormick. White finished this past year with 213 yards from scrimmage, and any interested teams would surely be eyeing him as a depth option at this point.
Raiders gonna Raiders
Team doesn’t even have a QB and they’re ditching offensive options in both the pass game and run game after investing what a 2nd pick and 4th? And what you’re gonna get back some 6ths maybe 7ths cause they had a down year?
Might as well hold onto them and see how they mesh with your new QB who should have as many options on offense as possible.
Well Detroit might as well jump in and trade a 6th for Mayer to be TE2 behind LaPprta. Heck trade a 5th for White and Mayer white would be a nice backup behind Gibbs and Montgomery
Decent stock. Mayer could have bigger roles with teams like Bengals, Jets, Broncos or Seahawks
Zamir could be a depth piece for Ravens, Cowboys, Browns or Steelers too
@sentinelATl. Chargers could take a look at him depending on his price. He was the 2nd/3rd te behind Kincaid. Even a 5th rounder would be worth a shot.
I can see Hawks calling on Mayer. Need a TE.
If Mayer’s head is on straight, I could see any of those or the Colts. Chiefs or Chargers could use him too.
Not sure anybody actually needs White. Think he might be a bottom of the roster guy.
White is 1 year from free agency and has been nothing but mediocre at best. Nobody is trading for him. Especially in this draft, you’re going to find day 3 guys that you get for 4 more years that can do what White does.
Mayer has some value but probably not more than a 4 or 5. I think he’d probably bring more value on the field to allow Bowers to move around.
If he’s available for day 3, the Patriots could be interested.
Giants….go get Meyers….quick…..
Mayer would be helpful to Drake Maye.
Mayer is a good TE that got overshadowed by the amazing Bowers, and taking half of the season off did not help. I’d prefer to keep him if he will only bring back a 4th or worse.
White looked like he had something his rookie year spelling Jacobs but did not perform whatsoever last season. Not like anyone in the RB room did, but still.
if im the giants I’ll trade for him.
Crosby!?