The last rookie for the Raiders to make a Pro Bowl was Amari Cooper in 2015. A few other players have had chances (Maxx Crosby, Josh Jacobs), but it’s now been several years since we’ve seen a rookie of the Raiders play at that level.
But could this year be different? Is there anyone from their draft class that has a chance to be among the best players at their position right away?
In a recent article by Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, he named several rookies that have a chance to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. That list included the likes of Bijan Robinson, Will Anderson, and Jalen Carter.
But a surprising name on the list was Raiders TE Michael Mayer, who was the third tight end selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here is a snippet of why Moton believes Mayer has a chance to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie:
Jimmy Garoppolo accurately peppers the middle of the field and the seams with targets, which helped San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle add three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro campaign to his resume between 2019 and 2022. In three of those years, Garoppolo started in at least 10 contests.
With star wide receiver Davante Adams taking on double coverage, Mayer could make an immediate impact as a secondary pass-catching option in a tight-end-friendly aerial attack.
Rookie tight ends don’t have a lot of success right away. It typically takes them a year or two to get up to the speed of the NFL. But Mayer is a three-year starter from Notre Dame and is an exceptional prospect. He won’t need a lot of time to adjust to the NFL and he should be a Day 1 starter for the Raiders.
Mayer could have 800 yards as a rookie, but he’ll also be competing with Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and Evan Engram for a spot on the Pro Bowl team. That alone will make that goal difficult to accomplish. But if there has ever been a tight end that could have instant success, it’s Mayer.
Don’t be surprised if Mayer gets Pro Bowl consideration right away as he should be a big part of the offense for the Raiders.
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