4 prospects Seahawks could reach for at No. 20 in 2023 NFL Draft

Reach No. 2: Seahawks could draft tight end Michael Mayer

The Seahawks don’t need a tight end in 2023, but they might need two in 2024. After this coming season, Seattle might need two. Both Noah Frant and Colby Parkinson will be free agents after 2023. Adding Mayer might simply be taking a very good player a year ahead of a position being in need. But make no mistake, Mayer could play a bunch this coming season and be really good.

Being a tight end, however, Mayer could fall into the second round. This is especially true as while he did have excellent receiving numbers at Notre Dame, he doesn’t have elite speed and teams may not want to spend high draft capital on a player who they don’t think will help them right away as a receiver. Mayer would be able to come in and immediately benefit Seattle’s run game, though. He was taught excellent blocking technique with the Irish and that can translate quickly to the NFL.

But while Mayer doesn’t have elite speed, he still would help in the passing game because he gets open through fantastic route-running and he has good hands. Carrying four tight ends wouldn’t be normal for the Seahawks, but if the fourth tight end is Mayer, it makes sense. Seattle could also use fellow Fant more as a third receiver while keeping Mayer and tight end Will Dissly on the field at the same time.

Taking Mayer at 20 might be a bit of an overreach but he would also be a player Seattle can get decent production out of as a rookie and he could be very impactful by his second season. Mayer is projected to go in many mock drafts before pick 37 which is where Seattle has their first choice of the second round. I am not saying the Seahawks should take Mayer at pick 20, but he would be a good player for several years.