The New England Patriots have fallen from the top of the NFL mountain after Tom Brady’s exit in 2020. As a result, Bill Belichick’s team has gone from a feared dynasty to somewhat of a laughing stock. A recent example certainly backs up that notion. Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams took an indirect shot at the Patriots for how they used Jakobi Meyers. The 30-year-old might be on to something with his remarks, considering Pro Football Focus listed Meyers as one of the top slot receivers from last season.
Davante Adams questions how the Patriots used Jakobi Meyers
Vegas signed Meyers on a three-year contract worth $33 million, including $21 million guaranteed this offseason, to likely be the running mate to Adams in the Raiders’ passing game.
As the 2023 season nears, Adams spoke about what he’s seen from his new teammate, resulting in the indirect shot toward Belichick and the Patriots.
“I didn’t see him featured as much as maybe he should have been based on what I saw when [the Patriots] came here and we practiced against them [last summer],” Adams told Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sun News (h/t Clutch Points).
“And so far, what I’ve seen from him now, he’s a pro. He’s got a lot of tools on the field, and the way he thinks about the game as a relatively young player is impressive to me, so I’m excited to work alongside him.”
Meyers racked up 235 receptions for 2,758 yards and eight touchdowns during his four seasons in New England. Nonetheless, expect the 26-year-old to outperform his Patriots numbers with Vegas considering the amount of attention Adams will command.
Along with benefiting from playing with Adams, Meyers might be receiving an upgrade at the quarterback position as he might go from Mac Jones to Jimmy Garoppolo if he’s healthy.
So, Raiders fans should anticipate seeing the best form of Meyers this season.
PFF lists Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers among the top NFL slot wide receivers
Adams might have received a notification that PFF put together their list of the top slot wide receivers from last season. Although Meyers played in a less-than-friendly Patriots offense, he still produced one of the top yards per route run of 1.90.
Only a handful of slot receivers produced more than Meyers, with players like Cooper Kupp and CeeDee Lamb only ahead of the new Raiders wide receiver. Meyers being in the same conversation as these players should give fans an idea of the player’s potential.
“Meyers has been underrated since his time in New England,” PFF’s Braxton Howard wrote. “His grades have screamed consistency — since 2020, Meyers has posted 80.1, 74.6 and 75.8 receiving grades.
“Another reliable receiver, Meyers dropped just one pass, which came in Week 2 against Pittsburgh. Now, Meyers gets to reunite with Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, so his job should get a lot easier running routes from the slot alongside his new teammate, Davante Adams.”
Offensively, Meyers appears to be in a better situation, and it could be Vegas that sees the best form of the North Carolina State product over these next three seasons.
*Top Photo: Silas Walker/Getty Images
