A great option for a position of need.
This offseason, the New Orleans Saints signed TE Juwan Johnson to a three-year deal that solidified his spot as the number one option. This move was made under the assumption, from both sides, that Kellen Moore had a vision for Johnson in this offense, and the veteran TE believed in that vision. Even with this “promise” in the offense, it always made sense for the Saints to improve their TE depth because of Moore’s heavier utilization of that position and potential injuries. We have already seen this just last week when the team hosted former Seahawks TE Noah Fant on a visit. A deal for both sides would make sense, but with other teams very interested, it was very uncertain that New Orleans could get it done, and the Bengals ended up winning the battle. The Saints would be in a fine position with the current TE group, but things may have changed. It was revealed by head coach Kellen Moore that Juwan Johnson is dealing with an groin injury. A potential future worry has now become the present, and the Saints now may be forced to make a move for a TE. This is fine if the team can avoid adding to the roster out of desperation, and the chances of that happening with Noah Fant just got much higher. So, if that move is off the table, the Saints should consider an alternative direction, and that may be towards the Las Vegas Raiders.
Since the emergence of TE Brock Bowers in Las Vegas, one player has been mentioned consistently in trade rumors: Michael Mayer. The former Notre Dame TE was a star in college, and the Raiders invested a very early second-round pick to select him in 2023. In his young career, Mayer has dealt with injuries, and with the Raiders drafting Bowers in 2024, his role in the offense has also diminished. This could be a recipe for Mayer to be traded out of Las Vegas, but the team is staying strong that they have no interest in a potential deal with teams, per Vincent Bonsignore.
The @Raiders have no interest in trading Michael Mayer. https://t.co/4cJyTXT4hX
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) June 30, 2025
It is important to understand that this could be the Raiders driving up the price of Mayer with teams interested, but it could also just be the team reiterating that they do not want to trade their young TE. The Raiders are entering a new era of football led by the tandem of QB Geno Smith and head coach Pete Carroll, meaning we do not know what the new group feels about Mayer. They might have a concrete role for the 24-year-old that will allow him to thrive in this offense next to Bowers. Again, this may not be the whole truth, and the Raiders may be trying to get teams to offer more. If this is the case, the Saints should still be interested.
Obviously, if the price for a Michael Mayer trade is just too egregious, New Orleans must stay away. This would be a very similar situation to the potential Noah Fant deal, just with trade capital instead of financial capital. For this experiment, let us say the Raiders are open to offers for Mayer, and the asking price is not crazy, the Saints can get a deal done. If the price for Mayer is any pick before day 3 of the NFL draft, New Orleans should hang up the phone. A 4th-round pick is still pretty expensive, but it may be worth it, and here’s why.
Michael Mayer is still only 24, and he is only being paid $1.6 million in 2025 and $2 million non-guaranteed in 2026, per Spotrac. Being so young and cheap, Mayer fits the rebuild/rework plan the Saints are currently going with, and he would provide an out if the Saints wanted to get out of Juwan Johnson’s contract at a later point. Still, there are issues with Mayer that must be considered when a trade is on the table. Injuries have been something Mayer has faced in only two years, and when on the field, he has not reached the potential he showed in college. Now, this could have been because the Raiders were struggling and the coaching staff was nearly on their way out, but these issues should still cause pause from the Saints’ side of any deal. This could make the asking price fall a bit, potentially to a 5th-7th round pick. This entire deal is in theory, and it is still unknown if the Raiders even want to make this move, but the New Orleans Saints should still reach out to see the potential of adding TE Michael Mayer to this roster.
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