“You tossed the pass to us. We gave you a bag. That’s insane.” — Amik Robertson of the Las Vegas Raiders, recalling .
the New England Patriots, a Week 15 game last season while delivering the game to his new team, the Raiders, Jakobi Meyers has taken the most difficult path.
Jokes? Meyers’ new teammates made a few jokes about his catastrophic mishap last December. Meyers, however, had the last laugh, as Robertson alluded to, thanks to the three-year, $33 million “bag” he received from the Raiders in free agency this past spring.
The problem is that Meyers’ performance as Robin opposite Davante Adams’ Batman in the Las Vegas receiver room has been far from amusing. Meyers’ output and prominence for the Raiders have been a revelation.
Meyers already has a career best of six touchdown receptions. With 52 receptions for 591 yards in 11 games (he missed Week 2 due to a concussion received in the opener), his reputation as a “complete” receiver is emerging. Meyers is on track for 79 catches, 837 yards, and nine touchdowns, which is comparable to his 83-catch, 866-yard effort with the Patriots in 2021.
“He reminds me of where I was, in terms of his respect level, maybe my third or fourth year in the league,” said Adams, who is in his tenth season but has been chosen first-team All-Pro the last three years. “It was more of what people said after the games.” I’ll hear feedback from other players about Jakobi after the game or later in the week, and they’ll say stuff like, ‘I didn’t know [No.] 16 was like that.’
“He’s like the best-kept secret….” He’s one of those devious players. In terms of all the receivers I’ve had the opportunity to play with during my career, he’s up there with the guys that are almost never covered [in the media]. His spatial awareness and ability to apply his own wisdom to different approaches is unique, and it’s something you don’t see every day.”
Meyers, at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, is far from a physical specimen at wideout. He’s also not regarded as a burner. But he’s not hesitant to take a heavy hit across the middle. And he possesses the ability to run a go pattern and outrun an unsuspecting defensive back.
In comes Robertson, who frequently covers him in practice.
“We’ve got guys like Hunter Renfrow, we call him Crazy Legs,” Robertson explained. “Then you have Tae, who is smooth.” Jakobi is both of them bundled into one. He’s slick and explosive. Can get the ball by going up. A recipient of possession. Personally, I believe he is an all-around receiver, and some people underestimate his speed, man. He has the ability to run.”
And spit game, apparently.
“He’s a quiet guy, but man, when you’re in the game, he talks because he’s confident,” Robertson said. “He says, ‘Come press me.'” You can’t protect me. You’re too little.’ It’s quite a bit, man.
“Some people don’t see him as a competitor because the spotlight isn’t really on him, but he just plays his part.” He’s not falling. He’s a guy who just wants to get better and help the football team win.”
While Adams is undeniably WR1, Meyers has made a case for WR1.5. Consider this: Meyers has had as many or more targets as Adams in five of their 11 games together this season.
So, how would Meyers describe himself?
“Just a guy doing what he’s got to do to feed his family,” he said with a laugh. “That’s all.”
So, what exactly does he contribute to the Raiders’ offense?
“I think a little consistency,” Meyers explained. “Every day, I try to remain calm, cool, and collected. I try to make the plays that come my way as frequently as possible. So I’m just trying to be the same man every time I step on the field, and hopefully we all are.”
Meyers has a supporter in his running mate. Particularly after his 33-yard over-the-shoulder catch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“He works really hard at it and takes a lot of pride in his route running,” Adams says of Meyers. “So it makes it a lot easier on me when he hits a big one like he did the other night on the right sideline.” We’ll need more of that from him in the future, as well as the rest of the men.”
Meyers also had a game-winning catch at midfield on third-and-8 with three minutes left in the season opener against Denver… even if he didn’t get the first down. The unnecessary roughness hit he sustained from Broncos cornerback Kareem Jackson knocked him out cold and handed the Raiders a first down, allowing Las Vegas to win 17-16.
Meyers stated he wasn’t terrified after the hit since he didn’t recall it. As a result, he earned a reputation as a tough receiver.
“He practices like his hair is on fire every single day, works extremely hard,” rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell said. “And I really don’t think I’ve ever heard Jakobi complain about something or make an excuse.”
