Patriots free agent receiver Jakobi Meyers is on the move. Per NFL insider Ian Rapport, the former UFA is signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The deal is worth $33M, spanning over three years. Meyers was projected to go for $13-16M but opted for a lower contract value. He was viewed as one of the top free-agent receivers. The contract is team friendly, only guaranteeing Meyers $21M over the three years.
Meyers has been the most consistent Patriots receiver since he joined the team in 2019, and there is no question that the Patriots will miss him on the field. The 24-year-old will complement DeVante Adams and Hunter Renfrow for the receiver core.
Although the Patriots’ offense was hard to watch and inconsistent last year, Meyers was a bright spot leading the team with 67 receptions, 804 yards, and six touchdowns. In his tenure in Foxborough, Meyers tallied 235 catches for 2,758 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Patriots used their second-round tender last season as Jakobi was a restricted free agent. Meyers unites with former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who spent time with Meyers for three seasons. Meanwhile, the Raiders are building something special and looking to change their scheme on offense after an awful 2022 campaign.
While speaking with CBS Sports insider Josina Anderson, Meyers said, “They wanted me, I wanted them. Unfortunately it didn’t work out with the Patriots.”
The Patriots now have a significant issue at the receiver. Yesterday, New England lost tight end Jonnu Smith, in a trade with the Falcons. However, even with Meyers, the position lacked a true WR1, and with Nelson Agholor hitting free agency this offseason, the Patriots have former Dolphin DeVante Parker as their number-one receiver. Behind Parker on the depth chart are Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
