Raiders X-Factor on Offense: Michael Mayer

Recently, we’ve touched on the biggest x-factor for the Raiders on defense. Now we focus on the offense. This offense has the potential to do special things this season and the weapons are in plenty. They are an unproven group, but as the season goes on can be underrated. The biggest x-factor for the Raiders is tight end Michael Mayer.

Raiders Michael Mayer Breaking Out is Huge

It would be easy to pick Geno Smith. He will be the driving force for this offense and be the one to take this team as far as he can. Without Smith, this Raiders offense could be toast. Then you have running back Ashton Jeanty, who will be leaned on heavily to take the worst rushing team in the league a season ago to better places. Having a strong run game can help lead into the passing game and that’s where the Raiders have plenty of weapons.

Brock Bowers is the cream of the crop at the tight end position and just finished 24th in the top 100 players. He put together the best rookie season by a tight end and is destined to do more. Jakobi Meyers recorded a 1,000 yard season and the Raiders do have promise and potential on rookie Donte Thornton. It feels good as a fan to have this type of hope in its young talent. With all that being said, you know what to expect with most of this offense. Let’s not forget about Mayer, who does have talent and potential.

There was a reason the Raiders drafted Mayer out of Notre Dame. He can block, but he can also catch the football. This is a player at Notre Dame who had 2,000 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in his final season. If there is anyone who can utilize him, it’s new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

Breaking Mayer Out of his Shell

Like Tyree Wilson, it has been a slow start for Mayer and the Raiders. 25 games and two touchdowns to pair with 460 yards receiving isn’t ideal. Also, Mayer spent time away from the team for personal reasons last year. He is back and has the full support of his teammates and his coaches. Football is family after all. But he has the right mindset and is coming into this season looking into a new light. 

“It’s one of those things where you can’t just say, ‘OK, I’m feeling better. I’m going to stop trying on all this stuff and then I’m going to go right back down in the dumps or wherever,’” Mayer said. “So, it’s always a process, and I think for the rest of my NFL career, I’m probably going to just be process, process, process. That’s just the way it’s going to be for me and my mind and my body, and that’s OK. I can do that, I can handle that and I’m ready for it.”

Much like Wilson, the Raiders plan to put him in position to succeed and utilize him properly. With an improved mindset and plan for an attack, he has had a strong camp in his third season. He has every intention on doing things this season and making an impact on this offense.

The Raiders will be a much more potent offense if Mayer can get going. They have weapons and if the defense does lag and plays leaky, the Raiders will need to score loads of points. The Raiders could be running 12 personnel or 13 and even if Bowers shifts to the slot, it allows Mayer to have a spot at the traditional TE spot.

Expect a big year from Mayer.