One of the most promising trade options for the new-look Mike Vrabel Patriots might be an old familiar face, and presents a test to see whether New England would eat some humble pie.
The staff in Foxboro have eyes on Raiders receiver and former Patriot Jakobi Meyers, according to NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry.
“Industry sources believe a former (Josh) McDaniels pupil in both New England and Las Vegas, Jakobi Meyers, could also be an option via trade. He’s going into the final year of his deal with the Raiders,” Perry reported.
Make it happen.
When Bill Belichick let Meyers walk in 2023 in favor of then-free agent Juju Smith-Schuster, it was the type of decision that aged like mayonnaise in the Vegas sun. Meyers was an undrafted free agent who came up through the final days of Tom Brady and one year of Cam Newton, and grew into the organization’s most dependable receiver. He clearly wanted to re-sign in New England, despite a chaotic 2022 season, but was undervalued and rebuffed.
He finished 2023 with 807 yards, while Smith-Schuster posted just 260. The following year, he broke 1,000 receiving yards – something no Patriot pass catcher has done since Julian Edelman’s retirement. He remains healthy and productive at 28, having played 80% of snaps in 15 games last seasons, and 86.3% of snaps in 16 games the year before.
He may not splash a headline like DK Metcalf, or have the championship pedigree of Cooper Kupp, but he represents a clear upgrade for New England’s roster and has tons of familiarity with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, his system, and his leadership style.
“A lot of people might take Josh differently, but I feel like Josh is the guy who gives you the answers to the test. It’s just up to you whether you want to use them, or not,” Meyers said in a 2023 NFL Media interview. “From the moment I stepped in the league, he always pushed me.”
Meyers couldn’t be the only addition the Patriots make to the receiver room. They need a bigger range of body types, and an X receiver who can capitalize on Drake Maye’s cannon of an arm. What Meyers could provide is a pair of steady hands to move the chains down the middle chunk of the field. Last year, he only dropped one pass with the Raiders. Last year’s turnover-happy offense, led by Maye, lacked such stability.
And look, obviously it smarts to consider having to part with draft capital, in the middle of rebuild, to acquire a guy who could have been had for pure cash two years ago. The Patriots would likely have to move a 5th rounder and potentially a roster player to get Meyers. But that’s what happens when you let talent depart and flourish even more, as he has. Bringing Meyers back would signify a difference in talent evaluation compared to the final Belichick years, in which the likes of Smith-Schuster, Devante Parker, and Nelson Agholor were considering weaponizing the offense.
Meyers is in the final year of his contract, slated to make a base salary just $10.5 million. That’s an absolute bargain for a 1,000+ yard pass catcher on the right side of 30. Because of his relationship with McDaniels and former New England experience, it’s also conceivable that New England would be able to extend him without too much friction.
Moving for Meyers could create a little good football karma while boosting the offense around Maye.