Who is Jakobi Meyers? Jakobi Meyers is an American professional football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL. Born on November 9, 1996, in Lithonia, Georgia, Meyers has made a name for himself despite going undrafted in 2019. He attended Arabia Mountain High School, where he initially played quarterback before switching to wide receiver. Meyers continued his football journey at North Carolina State University, setting records and showcasing his skills. His NFL career began with the New England Patriots, where he quickly became a reliable target. Now with the Raiders, Meyers continues to impress with his talent and determination.
Key Takeaways:
- Jakobi Meyers, a former quarterback turned wide receiver, set records at NC State and overcame challenges to become a key player for the New England Patriots, showcasing his versatility and determination.
- Meyers' journey from high school quarterback to NFL wide receiver is a story of resilience, persistence, and adaptability, making him a valuable asset in fantasy football and a solid veteran presence in the league.
Early Life and High School
Jakobi Meyers' journey to the NFL began in Lithonia, Georgia. His early years were filled with football dreams and hard work.
- Early Life: Born on November 9, 1996, in Lithonia, Georgia, Meyers grew up with a passion for football.
- High School Football: He attended Arabia Mountain High School, where he initially played as a quarterback.
- Position Change: During his freshman year, Meyers transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver, showcasing his versatility.
College Career at NC State
Meyers' college career at North Carolina State University (NC State) was marked by significant achievements and records.
- College Career: Meyers played for NC State from 2015 to 2018.
- Redshirt Season: He redshirted his freshman year, contributing as a key member of the scout team.
- Position Change: After his freshman year, he permanently switched to wide receiver.
- 2017 Season Highlights: Meyers had three games with over 100 receiving yards, including 112 against Florida State.
- 2018 Season Highlights: In 2018, he had five games with over 100 receiving yards, such as 163 against East Carolina.
- Reception Record: He set a single-season receptions record for NC State with 92 receptions in 2018.
- Receiving Yards: Meyers accumulated 1,047 receiving yards in the 2018 season, ranking fourth in the ACC.
- Total College Stats: Over his collegiate career, he had 168 receptions for 1,932 yards and nine touchdowns.
NFL Journey Begins
Despite his impressive college stats, Meyers faced challenges entering the NFL.
- NFL Draft: Meyers went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft.
- Undrafted Signing: He signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Early NFL Career with the Patriots
Meyers' time with the Patriots saw him evolve from a non-factor to a key player.
- First Season with Patriots: In his rookie season, he contributed 26 receptions for 359 scoreless yards.
- Role Evolution: In his second season (2020), Meyers started nine games and significantly increased his production.
- No Touchdowns: Despite increased production, he didn't score a receiving touchdown for a second-straight season.
- Passing Ability: Meyers completed two touchdown passes during his 2020 season.
- Analytics Darling: He finished with 2.37 (No. 8) Yards Per Route Run and 2.04 (No. 14) Target Separation.
- Air Yards Share: Meyers secured a 34.1-percent (No. 13) Air Yards Share and a 23.2-percent (No. 24) Target Share.
- Efficiency Metrics: His efficiency and opportunity metrics were impressive, setting the stage for future productivity.
Becoming a Key Player
Meyers' third season saw him become a full-time starting wide receiver for the Patriots.
- Third Season with Patriots: He became a full-time starter and received a quarterback upgrade with Mac Jones.
- Top Target for Mac Jones: Meyers became Jones’ top target, finishing with 135 (No. 15) targets.
- Reception Record Continued: He was a PPR machine, finishing with 89 (No. 17) receptions and two receiving touchdowns.
- Snap Share: Meyers saw an 82.9-percent (No. 25) Snap Share and ran 525 (No. 19) routes.
- Air Yards: He had 1258 (No. 24) Air Yards and a 29.0-percent (No. 31) Air Yards Share.
- Red Zone Targets: Meyers was targeted 16 (No. 18) times in the red zone.
- Consecutive Games with Targets: He finished the 2021 season with five consecutive games with eight or more targets.
Free Agency and New Beginnings
Meyers' career took a new turn as he entered free agency and joined the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Restricted Free Agent: He entered the 2021 offseason as a restricted free agent.
- Re-signing with Patriots: Meyers rejoined the Patriots on a two-year deal.
- Free Agency: He became a free agent in the 2023 offseason.
- Signing with Raiders: Former Patriots OC Josh McDaniels signed Meyers to play alongside Davante Adams.
Fantasy Football and Veteran Presence
Meyers' consistent performance makes him a valuable asset in fantasy football and a solid veteran presence.
- Fantasy Performance: Meyers finished as a wide receiver two in fantasy football.
- Veteran Presence: He brings talent and durability to any team.
Physical Attributes and Combine Performance
Meyers' physical attributes and combine performance highlight his athleticism.
- Height and Weight: Meyers stands at 6 feet 1.5 inches tall and weighs 203 pounds.
- Arm Length and Hand Span: He has an arm length of 32 inches and a hand span of 9.5 inches.
- 40-Yard Dash Time: Meyers ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
- 10-Yard Split Time: His 10-yard split time is 1.56 seconds.
- 20-Yard Split Time: His 20-yard split time is 2.66 seconds.
- 20-Yard Shuttle Time: Meyers completed the 20-yard shuttle in 4.23 seconds.
- Three-Cone Drill Time: He finished the three-cone drill in 7.07 seconds.
- Vertical Jump: Meyers jumped 37 inches vertically.
- Broad Jump: He broad-jumped 9 feet 10 inches.
- Bench Press: In the bench press, Meyers managed 13 reps.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Meyers has had several standout moments and milestones throughout his career.
- Career Highlights with Patriots: In Week 9 of the 2020 season, Meyers recorded a career-high with 12 receptions for 169 yards against the New York Jets.
- Game-Winning Play: His 20-yard catch set up Nick Folk's game-winning 51-yard field goal as the Patriots won 30–27.
- Playoff Performance: In Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens, Meyers led the Patriots with five catches for 59 yards and recorded a 24-yard passing touchdown to Rex Burkhead.
- Consistent Performance: In Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins, Meyers recorded seven catches for 111 yards during the 22–12 loss.
- Passing Touchdown: In Week 17 against the New York Jets, Meyers recorded five catches for 57 yards and a 19-yard passing touchdown to Cam Newton.
- First Receiving Touchdown: Meyers scored his first receiving touchdown in Week 10 of the 2021 season on an 11-yard pass from Brian Hoyer in a 45–7 win over the Cleveland Browns.
- Career Milestone: At the time, Meyers held the modern NFL record for the most receptions (134) and receiving yards (1,560) to start a career without scoring a touchdown.
Jakobi Meyers: A Journey of Resilience and Talent
Jakobi Meyers' path to NFL success is nothing short of inspiring. From his high school days in Lithonia, Georgia, to setting records at NC State, Meyers has shown incredible adaptability and determination. Despite going undrafted in 2019, he signed with the New England Patriots and quickly proved his worth. His transition from quarterback to wide receiver, coupled with his impressive stats, highlights his versatility. Meyers' time with the Patriots saw him become a reliable target, especially for Mac Jones. Now with the Las Vegas Raiders, he's set to continue his upward trajectory. Standing at 6'1.5" and weighing 203 pounds, Meyers combines physical prowess with a keen football IQ. His journey underscores the importance of perseverance and hard work, making him a standout figure in modern football. Keep an eye on him; his story is far from over.
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