Why TE Michael Mayer could be a big asset for the Raiders in 2025

The Las Vegas Raiders are rebuffing trade interest in one of their veterans.

Tight end Michael Mayer is in the Raiders' plans despite the Miami Dolphins showing interest "for a while," according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. But Vinny Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal reported that "the Raiders have no plans to trade him."

It's not a surprise the Raiders won't trade Mayer, given his 6-foot-4 frame and potential going into his third NFL season. Mayer is a valuable asset and gives the team another added dimension who can catch and make blocks.

He also gives QB Geno Smith another big target if Raiders OC Chip Kelly puts Mayer and the 6-foot-3 Brock Bowers on the field together, which would give defenses headaches given the potential mismatches.

At Notre Dame, Mayer had 809 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his senior season. His production led to then-Raiders GM Dave Ziegler selecting him with 35th overall pick after trading up with the Indianapolis Colts. Mayer was regarded as one of the top tight ends in the draft.

“These coaches know what I can do and what I can put out on that field," Mayer the Raiders' YouTube channel in an interview (h/t Pro Football Talk). 

"We got a lot of good tight ends in that room, and I think Chip knows it. I think PC (Pete Carroll) knows it, and we’re excited to kind of get this thing going.”

Mayer missed six games in 2024 for personal reasons, but he made the most of his limited time. Mayer had eight receiving first downs and two touchdowns. In 14 games as a rookie, he had 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns as well as 19 receiving first downs. 

If Mayer can stay on the field, he could turn into a key contributor for the Raiders, which is good news for Smith and Carroll.