The Las Vegas Raiders decided to cash in on a looming free agent as they secured draft picks for Jakobi Meyers. On November 4, the Silver and Black dealt the wide receiver to the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ fourth and sixth-round picks, the Raiders announced.
At 2-6, Las Vegas won’t make the playoffs this season, so it’s a wise decision to stock up on draft picks. Nonetheless, it was the only significant move that the Raiders’ front office made leading up to the deadline.
Despite the rumors, Maxx Crosby stayed in Las Vegas, and no other veteran piece was moved for draft picks outside of Meyers. While the verdict of who won this trade won’t be determined until the Raiders use these draft picks, ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes weighed in with her thoughts on the deal.
“Pretty good return,” Kimes said on the November 4 edition of “The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny.“ “I thought that was my first reaction, like whoa, because they gave up a fourth and a six, which adds up to like a, you know, low third type, you know, if you do the math. That’s a decent return, I thought, for Vegas.
“I get it. It makes sense. They’re also like in the mix to win the division or not to win the division, to make the playoffs. So like it makes sense. I think it’s a teeny bit rich personally, but for at this point in the season, and but I understand it.”
Geno Smith Talks Raiders Trading Jakobi Meyers
Meyers followed up his first 1,000-yard season in 2024 with a quiet start this year, becoming more of an afterthought in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s system. Through seven games, he’s totaled 33 receptions for 352 yards but has yet to reach the end zone.
On November 4, Raiders quarterback Geno Smith spoke with reporters and shared his thoughts on Las Vegas trading one of his targets away.
“Hard-working guy, extremely hard-working,“ Smith said of Meyers. “Very talented player. A guy who knows the game in and out. … He was a valuable asset for us on the offense. I wish him the best in the future. Hope he gets everything that he deserves.”
Chip Kelly Challenges Raiders’ Wide Receivers
With Meyers now gone, this opens up the opportunity for the young receivers on the Raiders to get more snaps. At the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas drafted Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr., so now is the time for them to take that step and take advantage of this opportunity.
Nonetheless, Tre Tucker, Michael Mayer, and Brock Bowers will also be competing for those snaps and targets from Smith that Meyers leaves behind. While the Raiders aren’t making the playoffs, Kelly stressed how important it is that other players step up.
“It has to be multiple guys, Jakobi was such an impact player for us,“ Kelly said when asked who will replace Meyers. “I wish him the best. He was a great practice player, and I enjoyed coaching him. He was a heck of a kid, but we got some other receivers who are going to have to pick it up.”
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