The first major wide receiver domino of the free-agent period has fallen. Jakobi Meyers is set to sign with the Raiders on a three-year, $33M contract (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network).
The pact includes $21M guaranteed and will give Vegas another notable new piece on offense. The Raiders agreed to terms Monday on a deal with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He, just like Meyers, will be reunited with head coach Josh McDaniels after working alongside the latter in New England when he served as Patriots offensive coordinator.
Meyers, 26, enjoyed a noteworthy career ascension across his four seasons spent in New England. The former undrafted free agent became a starter by his second seaso, and has been one of the few constants in the Patriots’ underwhelming passing attack in recent years. Meyers comfortably led the team in receiving yards (804) in 2022 and was expected to headline a less-than stellar class of free agent wideouts this offseason.
The $11M average annual value of this pact falls short of what some reports indicated he could receive on the open market. Meyers has put up consistent totals in a number of categories over the past three seasons, but his yards-per-catch average sits at 11.7 for his career. That figure pegs him as a high-end complementary wideout in an ideal role, something that will be possible with the Raiders.
Vegas already has Davante Adams atop its WR depth chart and highly regarded slot man Hunter Renfrow on the books after he signed a new deal last offseason. The Raiders also have Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, so Meyers represents the latest addition to a multi-faceted pass-catching corps. He will have the opportunity to continue his steady production with a familiar scheme.
For the Patriots, this news marks the second straight day of a pass-catcher departing. New England traded away tight end Jonnu Smith Monday and will now have a hole to fill at wideout with Meyers defecting. That position was already a weak one even with Meyers and fellow veteran Nelson Agholor, who is reportedly expected to leave in free agency as well. New England will have considerable work to do to upgrade its passing efficiency, but the Raiders will have another impact playmaker in place when they look to rebound in 2023 with a new-look offense.
