Cowboys Rumors: NFL Insider 'Can't See Dallas Passing' on TE Michael Mayer in Draft

Don't be shocked if the Dallas Cowboys address the tight end position at this year's draft, even potentially in the first round.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic projected Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer to the Cowboys at No. 26 overall in his most recent mock draft, writing: "As one plugged-in league source told me about Mayer and the Cowboys: 'I just can't see Dallas passing.'"

The position is a major need for the Cowboys, with Jake Ferguson currently projected as the starter and Peyton Hendershot also expected to see playing time after Dalton Schultz signed with the Houston Texans in free agency.

Ferguson and Hendershot each made an impact as a rookie in 2022. Ferguson appeared in 16 games and posted 19 catches for 174 yards and two scores, while Hendershot saw action in all 17 games and pulled in 11 catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

Clearly, that duo made the Cowboys feel comfortable enough at the position to allow Schultz to walk. But knowing that the tight end position has some pretty talented options in this year's draft couldn't have hurt either.

Mayer is able to make an impact as both a passer and blocker and would instantly upgrade the position. He registered at least 800 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons for Notre Dame to go along with 16 touchdown catches during that time.

And Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote that Mayer's professional comp was Cowboys legend Jason Witten, calling him a "big combination tight end with the demeanor for run blocking and the size for tough, chain-moving catches underneath" who "might need to polish his route running to become a high-volume target, but he's a safe pick and will be a good pro who can become a plus player as a run-blocker and pass-catcher."

Witten was an 11-time Pro Bowler who played all but one of his professional seasons in Dallas. If the Cowboys can get a player of that caliber at the position—with the caveat that there's no guarantee Mayer will drop to No. 26 overall, when they first pick on April 27, or that he will actually live up to that lofty comparison—they would surely be thrilled.