Assessments of Raiders Bye Week: Jakobi Meyers
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has been a perfect fit in his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders
In an attempt to return to the postseason, the Las Vegas Raiders signed a number of players who have proven to be valuable free agents during the offseason.
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Raiders are currently 5-7, but there is still a chance for Interim Coach Antonio Pierce and his group to make a final push for the playoffs.
Since Pierce took over four weeks ago, the Raiders have steadily improved on both sides of the ball. The defense has played with an extra edge, and the offense has moved effectively.
Jakobi Meyers, a wide receiver, was one free agent the Raiders signed, and he has proven to be a valuable addition. Meyers has grown into a key member of the offense since agreeing to a three-year, $33 million contract in March.
For a while, Meyers seemed to be quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s preferred weapon. Even though rookie Aidan O’Connell replaced him as the starting quarterback, he has been the Raiders’ go-to target when they need first-down yardage, even though his targets have decreased in frequency.
Meyers is among the NFL’s top two wide receivers after catching 52 passes for 591 yards and six touchdowns this season. Any quarterback that plays for the Raiders will continue to eye him up because of his cunning, deceptive route running, which keeps him open all the time and prevents him from dropping passes.
Meyers had a great opening to the season, hauling in nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the game against the Denver Broncos. After returning from injury, he also had 85 receiving yards versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meyers caught his first touchdown pass of the season on the first drive against the Kansas City Chiefs, after going four weeks without catching one. He finished the game with six receptions for 79 yards.
The Raiders signed Meyers with the expectation that defenses would be so preoccupied with stopping All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams that Meyers would be overlooked, and thus far, that has proven to be the case. Meyers gets open and wins his one-on-one matches with consistency.
When the offseason rolls around, the Raiders will undoubtedly have to make some decisions, but Meyers has shown he can play a significant role in their immediate future.
