Raiders are the large winners of head-scratching Lions draft
The Las Vegas Raiders benefitted from the Detroit Lions’ draft, and managed to commerce up for Notre Dame tight finish Michael Mayer within the second spherical.
The primary spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft was an eventful one, as there have been loads of stunning picks. One staff that made two attention-grabbing picks have been the Detroit Lions, who selected Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell with the twelfth and 18th total picks. The picks have been criticized as a result of worth used on them. However each gamers are anticipated to make an impression on the NFL stage, and the Lions clearly preferred them sufficient to pick out them that extremely.
Detroit’s attention-grabbing draft technique continued within the second spherical. With the thirty fourth total decide, the Lions chosen Iowa tight finish Sam LaPorta. Whereas LaPorta was a extremely considered prospect, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, who was in competition to be the primary tight finish to be drafted, remained on the board.
That allowed the Las Vegas Raiders to pounce. They have been in a position to negotiate a commerce with the Indianapolis Colts for the thirty fifth total decide, in alternate for the thirty eighth and 141st picks. That allowed them to pick out Mayer to be their new beginning tight finish.
Raiders capitalize on Lions’ drafting, commerce up for Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
The Raiders had an apparent want on the place, as they traded Darren Waller to the New York Giants earlier this offseason. With a brand new quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, it actually helps to provide him an choice down the center of the sphere like Mayer.
Mayer is 6-foot-4 and weighs 249 kilos, and is a big goal for a quarterback that’s robust to carry down. Sarcastically, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein offers him a professional comparability of former Raiders tight finish Jason Witten.
In 12 video games this previous season, Mayer caught 67 passes for 809 yards and 9 touchdowns. Total in his three 12 months tenure at Notre Dame, Mayer recorded 180 receptions for two,099 yards and 18 touchdowns.
In the meantime, LaPorta is coming off of his fourth season at Iowa. After all, the Hawkeyes offense was not precisely identified for it’s manufacturing. However, LaPorta was thought of a Day 2 draft decide. And the Lions clearly sensed that he might be off the board by the subsequent time they have been on the clock, and determined to pick out him.
This previous season, LaPorta recorded 58 receptions for 657 yards and one landing. Via 4 years, LaPorta posted 153 catches for 1,786 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Each the Lions and Raiders bought the tight finish they have been wanting so as to add to their rosters. The Raiders should be blissful that they have been in a position to transfer up earlier within the second spherical to pick out Mayer.
