Jakobi Meyers joining Raiders
What it means:
The Las Vegas Raiders are signing wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to a three-year, $33 million contract.
The deal includes $21 million guaranteed as Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels adds another former New England Patriots player. Meyers played in McDaniels' offense the first three years of his career, so that familiarity could help him secure the No. 2 receiver job behind Davante Adams. Hunter Renfrow loses value with this signing and Mac Jones also takes a hit due to Meyers' departure.
Despite missing three games last season, Meyers led the Patriots in targets (96), receiving yards (804), and touchdown catches (6) last season. He also registered team-highs with a 22.5% target share and 27.9% air yards share. The Patriots will need to add pass-catchers in free agency and the draft, to replace Meyers' production.
The Raiders are expected to sign Meyers to a three-year, $31 million contract on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
What it means:
Meyers heads to a familiar offensive scheme under coach Josh McDaniels, while landing a relatively affordable deal including $21 million guaranteed. After operating as New England's top wideout in recent years, Meyers' now slots in as a comfortable No. 2 option behind top receiver Davante Adams, giving new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) a more complete complement of skill-position players. His departure leaves the Patriots with a significant void to fill in the passing game.
Meyers (shoulder) caught three of seven targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-23 loss to the Bills.
What it means:
Meyers' two-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter was reviewed, but the touchdown call stood after the replay official ruled that he managed to get both feet down in the back of the end zone. The pending unrestricted free agent finishes the season on a three-game touchdown streak, raising his season totals to 67 catches, 804 yards and six touchdowns on 96 targets. Meyers was targeted 222 times over the past two seasons, so New England would have a substantial vacancy to fill should Meyers sign elsewhere.
Meyers (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bills.
What it means:
Meyers, who aggravated a shoulder injury during last week's win over the Dolphins, was able to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday through Friday, before being listed as questionable for Sunday's contest. With his Week 18 availability confirmed, New England's top wide receiver should remain a key target for QB Mac Jones in a game that the team needs to win in order to secure a spot in the upcoming postseason. To date, Meyers has caught 64 of his 89 targets for 772 yards and five TDs, a rate of production that makes him the Patriots' most reliable pass-catcher from a fantasy perspective.
Jakobi Meyers (shoulder) available for Patriots in Week 18
What it means:
New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers will play Sunday in the team's Week 18 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Meyers was listed questionable due to a shoulder injury. However, despite the ailment, he has received the green light to take the field with the team's playoff hopes on the line.
Our models project Meyers for 2.3 points, 26.4 yards, 0.1 touchdowns and 4.3 FanDuel points.
Meyers (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
What it means:
During Week 17 action, Meyers aggravated a shoulder injury that he had previously dealt with, but given that he was able to practice this week, albeit in a limited capacity, we suspect that that the Patriots' top wide receiver will be available this weekend. In any case, Meyers' status will be confirmed in advance of the first batch of games Sunday, with New England kicking off at 1:00 ET.