Advancing and scoring the ball have been a bit of a challenge, if we’re to put it nicely, for the 2022 New England Patriots of late. While it remains a mystery as to how they’ll address their offensive issues for the second half of the season, perhaps free agency will be an avenue they’ll travel to address the wide receiver position for next season. If that’s to be the case, then they shouldn’t have to look far as one analytics system’s top impending free agent wide receiver…is already on the team.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jakobi Meyers is the top-rated wide receiver in the 2023 class of potential free agents, ranking ninth overall. This may come as a bit of a shock to Patriots fans, given that there’s nothing too flashy about Meyers’ game (his 4.63 40-yard dash speed ranks him as one of the slower wideouts in the league). But those familiar with the team certainly understand the value Meyers brings, and can appreciate his growth from undrafted rookie free agent to starting NFL receiver. Still…the top potential free-agent receiver?
First, regarding the player…Meyers leads the team with 40 catches in just seven games on the season (no other wide receiver in New England has more than 15). He has some of the surest hands in the league, dropping less than 4% of passes thrown his way over the past three seasons. He has a knack for getting open, is a precise route runner in the slot and out wide, and has had great chemistry with all three QBs to throw passes his way since Tom Brady left. Meyers actually credited Cam Newton for saving his career and helping him blossom in 2020, so obviously he’s a great guy, too. He has three touchdowns, already a career high, and again, that’s just in seven games…and as part of one of the clunkiest offenses in the league. Who knows what Meyers would be capable of on a high-powered or more prolific passing offense?
If the Patriots don’t make a point of signing him, they could soon find out.
Second, as to the higher than expected ranking of Meyers…one quick glance at the 2023 free agent wide receiver class and it’s almost easy to see why he sits at the top of that class.
How Meyers plays and what kind of impact he has on the Patriots offense the rest of the way, where the team faces stiffer defensive competition over the final eight games, could very well impact the price tag on Meyers. Most of the stud receivers from the 2019 draft class, like AJ Brown and Deebo Samuel, have signed massive deals averaging over $20 million per season. For the record, Meyers is earning just south of $4 million this season.
With free-agent receiver help at a premium next season, and respected analytics sites like PFF grading Meyers out so high, the one-time value might soon cost a pretty penny. The Patriots just last year reached out and spent freely on receivers and tight ends galore. Now they don’t have to look as far as their own locker room to find and sign the best potential free-agent receiver available. Whether or not he merits that respect, and deserved compensation in Foxborough, remains to be seen.
