Raiders News: Jakobi Meyers Makes NFL History As Undrafted Player

Corey Hansford
Corey Hansford
4 Min Read
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) smiles after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders offense this season, pretty much all attention has gone towards rookie tight end Brock Bowers, and rightfully so, as he is having a historic first year. But quietly, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has come on as of late as well.

Meyers dealt with some injuries early on this season, but since he is healthy, he has emerged as a reliable option for whoever the Raiders have at quarterback. Now, he has made some history by joining an elite class of undrafted players.

According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Meyers became just the fifth undrafted player in NFL history to have at least 700 receiving yards in five of their first six seasons:

Meyers is in some elite company as Drew Pearson is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Antonio Gates could be joining him soon and is widely considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Additionally, Gary Clark is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, and both he and Rob Moore made an All-Pro First Team and were multi-time Pro Bowlers.

Despite all of the issues the Raiders have had this season, Meyers is on pace for the best season of his career. He has come on strong lately with at least six receptions and 67 yards in four of his last five games, eclipsing the 100-yard mark twice in this stretch as well. Barring any major setbacks, he will almost certainly set a career-high for receptions and receiving yards and could reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.

Bowers has been an absolute star for the Raiders this year, but Jakobi Meyers has proven that the Raiders made the right move in bringing him in last year, as he has been nothing short of solid for the Silver and Black.

Raiders’ Brock Bowers breaks NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end

The reason Jakobi Meyers hasn’t received the attention he deserves is that tight end Brock Bowers is in the midst of a historic rookie season, and the Raiders rookie recently set another major record while still having four games remaining.

Bowers set a new record for receptions by a rookie tight end in NFL history, passing the 86 receptions from Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta just last season. In addition to all of the records he has already broken, there remains an opportunity for Bowers to break the rookie record for receptions period, which Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams also set last season.

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Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.