Jakobi Meyers is heading into his sixth year in the NFL, and his second as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. Coming into the league as an undrafted free agent, expectations were low for Meyers. He eventually caught on to the New England Patriots. And after standing out in preseason, he earned a roster spot. Since then, all he’s done is impress.
Before the NFL
Initially recruited as a quarterback prospect out of high school, Meyers was redshirt in his first year at NC State. After a quiet redshirt freshman year, Meyers was a key part of the Wolfpack offense in what would be his penultimate year in college. Meyers caught 63 passes for 727 yards with five touchdowns. It was his redshirt junior year where he took off, however.
In his final year at NC State, Meyers broke the school’s record for receptions in a single season (92). On top of those receptions, Meyers also tallied 1,047 yards and four touchdowns.
Coming to the Patriots
Entering the 2019 season, it was thought that first round pick that year N’Keal Harry would be the key addition to the reigning Super Bowl champions. After all, coming in as an UDFA did force an adjust period for Meyers.
However by his sophomore season, Meyers took a step up. He finished the 2020 season with 729 yards on 56 receptions. Meyers had asserted himself, overcoming the challenges posed as an UDFA to become a well respected name around the league.
Despite constant quarterback turmoil plaguing the Patriots following Tom Brady‘s departure, Meyers always remained consistent.
In 2021, playing with then-rookie Mac Jones, Meyers caught his first two touchdowns in the NFL. He also set his career-high in receiving yards with 866, a number he is still yet to top.
Before the 2022 season, the Patriots placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Meyers, which he would later sign in a deal worth $3.9 million. He impressed yet again, this time with 804 yards with six touchdowns.
It was a season to remember for Meyers. However, there was one moment that he’s sure he would like to forget – although Raiders fans may feel differently.
The Lunatic Lateral
At the end of the Week 15 game of the 2022 season in Allegiant Stadium, the Patriots and Raiders were in a tied game. With the Patriots having the ball, they handed it off to running back Rhamondre Stevenson. It was likely meant to run out the clock, and send the game into overtime.
However, Rhamondre found a little room and picked up big yards before lateraling it to Meyers in order to extend the play. Not seeing any room to progress, Meyers went for another lateral to keep the play alive. This lateral, however, did not reach its intended target.
Instead, it ended up in the hands of Raiders’ then-defensive player Chandler Jones. Who, as time expired, stiff armed the Patriots quarterback and returned the ball for a game-winning touchdown.
This game would later be coined ‘The Lunatic Lateral’. After the game, Meyers suggested that he was “trying to do too much” as a reason behind his ill-attempted lateral.
Jakobi Meyers comes to the Raiders
With a team bereft of weapons, then-Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels knew they needed to add another playmaker on the offense. McDaniels knew Meyers from their time together in New England, and believed he could add something new to the wide receiving room. Eventually, Meyers would be signed to a three-year $33 million dollar contract.
Meyers impressed in his first year with the Raiders. He broke his single-season touchdown record with eight, as well as tallying 807 receiving yards on 71 catches.
Entering the 2024 offseason, it seems Meyers has been the focal point of the offense leading up to the team’s preseason games. It should be interesting to see how Meyers gets on with a full year under new head coach Antonio Pierce, and how his usage will change this season.
