The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Las Vegas Raiders 30-29 in an overtime thriller on November 2. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who had a modest game of four catches for 23 yards, was on the losing side. Today, he gets to be on the winning end, as the Jaguars acquired Meyers for two mid-round draft picks hours before the NFL trade deadline, per multiple sources.
Here are the terms of the deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
- Jacksonville receives: WR Jakobi Meyers
- Las Vegas receives: a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick
Several other teams, including the Steelers and Bills, were reportedly in talks to acquire Meyers.
A Season of Frustration
Meyers, 28, has expressed interest in a trade multiple this season. Meyers is in the final year of a three-year, $33 million deal. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio writes, “Meyers made it clear in early September that he asked the Raiders for an extension, and that the Raiders declined. He reiterated in October that he would like to be traded.”
The disgruntled receiver hasn’t performed up to the standard he’s set in past seasons, but he’s still expected to be one of the biggest names moved during this year’s trade deadline. In seven games this season, Meyers has 33 catches for 352 yards and zero touchdowns. The statistical dip likely isn’t due to a decline in talent, though. Meyers’ public frustration with the team and quarterback Geno Smith’s erratic play are more probable culprits.
Meyers posted a career-high 1,027 receiving yards last season, along with 87 receptions and four touchdowns. It was his fourth consecutive season with over 800 receiving yards–a streak he’ll look to extend with his new quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
Disappointments and Injuries in Jacksonville
The Jaguars’ wide receiver room has been a major source of scrutiny. Brian Thomas Jr., who finished fourth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting last season, has underperformed and been hampered by injuries (the two are likely intertwined).
Last week, No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, also off to a fairly slow start, went on the IR after suffering a non-contact knee injury in practice. Hunter will miss at least the next three weeks; the team even expressed concern that the injury could be season-ending, although testing revealed that Hunter’s ACL is intact.
Meyers not only adds depth to a banged-up Jacksonville receiving corps, but he could regain the fringe Pro Bowl-level form he showed earlier in his Raiders’ career as well as in New England.
“Meyers is a solid No. 2 option at receiver, making him a strong complement to Brian Thomas Jr. in the Jaguars’ offense,” Tyler Sullivan writes for CBS Sports. “As noted, Hunter is currently on injured reserve, which created a bit of a hole at the position group for Jacksonville. If/when Hunter returns after he’s eligible following the next three games, it’ll be interesting to see how the offense operates. It’s possible for Hunter to see more time at cornerback with Meyers now in the fold, so the addition gives them flexibility.
“Meanwhile, this is a move that the Jags hope to improve Trevor Lawrence’s production. The Jaguars’ quarterback is 30th in completion percentage and passer rating when targeting wide receivers this season.”
Meyers will likely play his first snaps as a Jag in Week 10 against the division-rival Houston Texans.
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