NFL Draft: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer 'Poor Fit' With Commanders?
The Washington Commanders have an interesting choice to make with the No. 16 pick in April's draft.
The first pick in the draft class often highlights the team's biggest need, one of which could be the tight end position.
Notre Dame's Michael Mayer is viewed as a "top-level" tight end in this year's class and could easily be the first at the position off the board.
However, Bleacher Report thinks that the Commanders' depth at tight end is enough to pass on one in the first round, declaring Mayer a poor fit for Washington.
"Even if Washington releases Logan Thomas, the offense has a strong blocker in John Bates," Bleacher Report writes. "One of Armani Rogers and Cole Turner need to emerge as competent pass-catchers, but they're young players who, in theory, would benefit from increased playing time. That's the long version of saying Michael Mayer has minimal upside for Washington. He'd be a solid complement to Bates, but the Commanders need reliable blockers more than another playmaker."
The Commanders have several offensive playmakers, including Jahan Dotson, who was drafted with the No. 16 pick in last year's draft. That could allow the Commanders to target a different player with that top pick, like Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez, but an upgrade at tight end certainly wouldn't hurt.
With Eric Bieniemy coordinating the offense in Washington, adding a tight end that can play a Travis Kelce-like role would be beneficial, but the Commanders have to look at the big picture and ask themselves if the talent and need pays off.
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