The Las Vegas Raiders have been active in free agency so far with the biggest move being the signing of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to be under center next season.
The franchise also made a couple of moves to boost the secondary, adding former Philadelphia Eagles safety Marcus Epps as well as cornerback Brandon Facyson. But the team still felt the need to add to the offense as well.
The Raiders have agreed to a three-year contract with former New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who in the eyes of many was the best wide receiver available in free agency this offseason, via ESPN:
New England Patriots free agent wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has agreed to a three-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders worth $33 million, including $21 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The move reunites Meyers with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, who was Meyers’ offensive coordinator with the Patriots 2019-21.
This is an interesting move as the skill positions were not necessarily an area that many would point to as being a need for the Raiders. With DaVante Adams being the dominant force he is, along with a healthy Hunter Renfrow and the emerging Mack Hollins, the Raiders have a good set of receivers.
But Meyers has steadily improved as a wide receiver since joining the NFL and is familiar with head coach Josh McDaniels and his offensive system. Perhaps going back to a system he was comfortable with was a priority for Meyers who is a different type of receiver than what the Raiders already have.
Raiders fans will also be very familiar with Meyers from last season where he was the source of one of the wildest endings in NFL history. With the game tied in the final seconds, Meyers attempted to lateral the ball back to quarterback Mac Jones, but it was intercepted by Raiders linebacker Chandler Jones who would run it into the end zone for a touchdown, securing the unlikely win for the Raiders.
Meyers will undoubtedly hope to create better memories in Las Vegas over these next couple of years. He has really grown into his own, especially over the last two seasons where he has caught a combined 150 passes for 1,670 yards and eight touchdowns with six of those coming last season. It will be interesting to see if the Raiders have any more big moves planned in free agency.
