Replacing Darren Waller starts in earnest in just a couple of short days for the Las Vegas Raiders. That's when the group starts training school with novices reporting first on July 20 and veterans signing up with the fray July 25. It's an entirely remade limited end room after the Silver Black dealt Waller to the New York Giants this offseason. The existing group is a mix of expert talent with a really appealing and highly-touted rookie prospect. Said neophyte arrives with such high assumptions that it bids this inquiry: Does Michael Mayer begin at tight end? Let's explore. The Contenders Michael MayerLas Vegas was happy to discover the Notre Dame product still readily available in the 2nd round and traded up to No. 35 overall to guarantee they landed him. Raiders basic supervisor had a first-round grade on Mayer and, heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, was considered as having blocking technique that transcended than a lot of tight ends in the draft course. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Mayer is well built and has the aggressive attitude to be a run blocking force while additionally providing the passing attack a reputable and challenging option up the seam and over the middle. RelatedMichael Mayer by the numbersMayer did confirm to be a very fast research at Notre Dame and was a starter as a real freshman in 2020 https://www.titansprostore.com/product/womens-tennessee-titans-brown-2023-salute-to-service-pullover-hoodie-7802.html. He took 180 masquerade 2,099 lawns and 18 goals throughout his three-year job in South Bend showcasing his path running, jumping and capturing capability, and durability by taking hits and obtaining backyards after the catch. Mayer is a traditional combination tight end that head instructor Josh McDaniels chooses and with improvement of his blocking video game, can provide the Raiders' principal play customer a full tight end to work with. Austin Hooper seen here attempting to damage a tackle from then-Raiders security Johnathan Abram, is now in Las Las vega and can contend for the starting limited end work. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Austin Hooper The eight-year veteran was the 2nd complimentary agent tight end checked in March and brings a wealth of experience having actually played in 105 complete career regular-season games and 59 beginnings. He likewise has seven playoff starts under his belt, also. At 6-foot-4 and 254 extra pounds, Hooper started his NFL profession as a third-round choose of Stanford by the Atlanta Falcons as a combo limited end who can obstruct and catch. Nonetheless the 28-year-old's ability as an in-line blocker waned in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans. McDaniels wants his tight ends to do both and unless Hooper shows he has far better obstructing chops than Mayer, he could be relegated to TE2 tasks. That said, Hooper is still a productive and trusted option as an obtaining tight end. He took 41 catches for 444 lawns and 2 goals with the Titans with 28 of those functions being initial downs. Over his profession, he's caught 339 masquerades 3,468 lawns, and 25 touchdowns. The DepthO https://www.titansprostore.com/product/adult-tennessee-titans-brown-2023-salute-to-service-club-pullover-hoodie-7803.html. J. HowardIf the Raiders hadn't composed Mayer, this six-year veteran would certainly've been the likely TE2 behind Hooper. The 6-foot-6, 251-pound 28-year-old isn't as spry as he when was when he got here to the NFL as a first-round pick in 2017, yet he's still an effective blocker. While he will not be perplexed for a mauler-type as an in-line choice, Howard involves blockers and remains on them in both pass and run sequences and he can load a wallop when on the action or breaking at defenders. Purchasing time can often be a commendable trait specifically as quarterbacks are checking the area for alternatives. Howard hasn't place up substantial getting numbers since the 2019 period with Tampa fl as he's transported in a total of 35 masquerade 426 lawns and five touchdowns in the last 3 seasons. Howard's value will certainly be as an additional in-line option in numerous limited end collections who can block and slip out on routes for catches. Raiders tight end Jesper Horsted, left, is ready to do what ever the group asks of him. But with rookie Michael Mayer and experts Austin Hooper and O. J. Howard in the mix, he faces an uphill climb at the placement group. Photo by Ethan MillerGetty ImagesJesper HorstedThe fleet-footed converted pass receiver is extra pillar on special groups than on crime. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound 26-year-old's engagement rate on offense is minimal at best during his three-year job as he's totaled just 13 catches for 127 lawns and 3 goals. Horsted is a willing participant, nonetheless, and will do what ever the group asks of him to the best of his capacity. However he lacks the smart and strength to be an in-line blocker kind, in spite of having the run and catch capacity as a college wideout. He'll have an uphill reach relocate up the depth graph at tight end with unique teams his most likely ticket. The LongshotsCole FotheringhamThe undrafted complimentary agent is in the mold of a one-dimensional blocking tight end. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound 25-year-old aim to involve quickly and kept his blocks throughout his time at Utah. However he has an angular framework and reduced body which does not portend to the called for lower-body stamina to absolutely battle NFL defenders. Fotheringham is the type that's excellent for camp competition but is even more of a technique team choice than back-end roster typeunless he creates into a standout blocker. John Samuel ShenkerA receiving tight end with excellent speed, the undrafted item established the Auburn record for profession captures with 68. Shenker is additionally 2nd in school background with 779 complete receiving yards. Nevertheless, the 6-foot-3, 242-pounder need to display he can block at the next level and that will likely take even more than one offseason to generate outcomes. He supplies very little as an in-line blocker. Although, like Fotheringham, Shenker can make sounds and contend for a special teams spot with Horsted.