Patriots Next Steps After Jakobi Meyers Signs with Raiders?
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots’ top pass-catcher from 2022 is headed west.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders — reuniting him with his former offensive coordinator and current Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.
For Las Vegas, new quarterback (and co-former Patriot) Jimmy Garoppolo gains a sure-handed offensive weapon.
However, the Patriots are now left to ponder their next move a the position.
At the outset, New England faces a tough task in replacing Meyers’ productivity.
Meyers, who originally signed with the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2019 out of North Carolina State, quickly became a valuable asset to the Patriots offense due to his durability and dependability. Since joining the Pats, he has compiled more receptions and receiving yards than any other member of the team. His 235 career receptions currently ranks third among all non-drafted players in the league since 2019.
As one of quarterback Mac Jones’ most-reliable (and thus, preferred) targets, the team had become accustomed to relying on Meyers to catch mostly any pass thrown his way. Though he battled through a myriad of injuries in 2022, Meyers started 13 of the 14 games he appeared in this season. The 26-year-old led the team and set career highs with 804 receiving yards and six touchdowns and finished second on the team with 67 receptions.
With Meyers departure, New England is still left with a serviceable positional group including receivers DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne.
Still, help is needed … and could have been had for a reasonable price.
Meyers’ reported deal raised more than a few eyebrows throughout Patriots Nation. With earlier reports indicating that the soon-to-be fifth-year receiver was potentially in line for a $15 million annual value contract, his joining the Raiders for approximately $11 million per year was a bit surprising.
Apparently, it was to Meyers, as well.
Despite the contrived narrative designed to portray the Patriots as sinisterly frugal, the team has proven that it is willing to invest significant money in improving its roster. In 2021, the team committed north of $190 million to seven free agents, most of which came within hours of the start of the NFL’s legal tampering window.
Therefore, the Patriots’ allowing him to leave for less than the perceived market value seemingly indicates that their plans pass-catching plans in Bill O’Brien’s offense are not contingent to Meyers’ remaining with the club. O’Brien specializes in coordinating an offense which features ball protection, efficient running and spreading the ball to multiple pass catchers to facilitate gaining notable yards after the catch. Though Meyers is a solid receiver in many facets of the game, his is not known for his YAC prowess.
So, where do the Patriots go from here?
Fellow free-agent Nelson Agholor struggled throughout much of his two-year tenure in New England. Yet, his speed and experience in the perimeter makes him a potential candidate for retention.
The Patriots have also been connected to trade rumors involving Arizona Cardinals wideout DeAndre Hopkins and Houston Texans speedster Brandin Cooks. While moves of this type are certainly possible, acquiring their services will require parting with more than just financial capital.
The 2023 draft class is rich in receiver talent, meaning that the Pats could secure a game-changing pass catcher within the first three rounds. Top-flight receivers such as Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, TCU’s Quentin Johnson and Boston College’s Zay Flowers have received first round grades, while Houston’s Nathaniel Dell and Michigan State’s Jayden Reed could provide solid mid-round value.
Regardless, the Pats face a tall, but not insurmountable, task in replacing Meyers on the depth chart. While he may not be a prototypical ‘WR1,’ his ability to secure the football for big yardage at the catch point makes him an invaluable addition to most any offensive scheme. As such, he joins an already impressive stable which includes receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, tight end Darren Waller and running back Josh Jacobs.
Conversely, the questions surrounding the Pats’ receiving corps will continue until a move of equal or greater proportions is made to offset Meyers’ absence.
Whether New England has the answers to those questions will be discovered within the coming days.
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