Todd McShay compares Michael Mayer to Rob Gronkowski

Michael Mayer put himself in a class of his own at Notre Dame and he continues to be a projected top-20 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft as a result. He’s also drawing comparisons to some impressive names, as ESPN’s Todd McShay said this week.

McShay compared Mayer to Rob Gronkowski during an interview with Sports Illustrated and MMQB’s Albert Breer. He had an impressive career at Notre Dame, leaving as the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end and touchdown receptions by a tight end. In ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s second mock draft, he projected Mayer to go to the Green Bay Packers at No. 15.

If that happens, McShay thinks the Packers would get another Gronk.

“I don’t know why,” McShay said. “Maybe it’s because he’s not the fastest guy. To me, he looks a lot like Gronk [Rob Gronkowski] — his run after catch, how physical he is; he’s a grown man.”

As a junior in 2022, Mayer had 809 catches and nine touchdowns as Notre Dame went 9-4 overall and got a victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl. He opted out of that game to prepare for the draft.

ESPN draft expert compares Michael Mayer to TJ Hockenson

Earlier in the draft process, ESPN draft expert Matt Miller had quite the comparison for Mayer. He thinks the former Fighting Irish star is similar to Minnesota Vikings star T.J. Hockenson.

“Mayer is a throwback three-down tight end who can line up next to the offensive tackle and clear out in the run game or bring down passes up the seam,” Miller wrote. “At 6-4 and 265 pounds, he has elite size and uses it to produce all over the field to the tune of 67 catches, 809 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022. Mayer is a post-up, box-out red zone threat, and while he’s not expected to run a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash, his power, agility and instincts should keep him in the top 15 picks even at a non-premium position.”