The Jacksonville Jaguars have now made official their trade for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders. This latter deal consists of fourth- and sixth-round selections in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Meyers said he is still recovering from a separated right shoulder and concussion. With this state of affairs, it leaves open the question of when he’ll be able to join practice and game action.
Meyers, who has been hit-or-miss this season, will need to make a swift acclimation to his new digs. He’ll be practicing on Wednesday, according to his schedule. That being said, his role in the next game against the Houston Texans is still up in the air. The trade represents a fascinating tactical pivot by both franchises as they plunge into the deep end of merciless 2023 NFL season.
Meyers’ Recent Performance and Health Status
Jakobi Meyers has had his own injury issues to deal with this season. A knee and toe injury forced him to miss the game field for an important Week 7 divisional matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, even with these detriments, he’s shown great toughness, missing just four games over two-plus seasons with the Raiders.
On-field production-wise, Meyers has caught 33 passes for 352 yards in just seven games this year. Add in his early-season form, where he was averaging 76 yards per game over the first three weeks, and it’s easy to see the potential. That said, his productivity has plummeted, as he averaged only 31 yards per game over those four contests.
“It’s like a player got hurt, he’s out of a game, then what do you do? It’s the next guy’s up.” – Chip Kelly
In Jacksonville, they’re hoping that Meyers finds his way back to that form and helps to solidify the Jaguars receiving corps. His current health issues will play a crucial role in how quickly he can adapt to his new environment.
Impact on Jaguars’ Receiving Corps
By adding Meyers, the Jaguars continue to find ways to bolster their offensive arsenal. His presence will give them yet another dynamic weapon to complement their other racecar fast receivers. Yet for the entire organization, the long-term benefit can’t come without the team dealing with his absence in the short term while he heals from his injuries.
In Meyers’ absence, several players will have to rise to the occasion. Tre Tucker, Tyler Lockett, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Jack Bech will all see extended run. Along with that, they appear primed to take on more responsibility in the receiving game. Even with this shift, they’ll need to adapt and develop at a rapid pace to replace Meyers’ production.
“Both [Bech] and [Thornton] are coming along.” – Chip Kelly
The Jaguars are confident that the unit cohesion shown by these players will make up for any lost production. Their intent is to have him succeed as he begins to settle into his new position.
Raiders’ Decision and Future Outlook
For the Raiders, moving Meyers is a significant move as they continue to filter through an evolving roster. The development team seems to be having second thoughts about that and is trying to redo the plan as it moves into the future. Meyers has always wanted to work in the trades. He believes his time with the organization has not met his own personal standards.
Meyers is in the last season of a three-year, $33 million contract—which he signed in March of 2023. Conversely, the Hall of Famer registered just 11 drops throughout his seven-year career. Analysts tend to agree that this trade signals either a poor performance evaluation or a new direction for the Raiders.
With the Raiders, Meyers still managed to make big plays, even with this season’s struggles. He put on a dazzling show against the New England Patriots in a Week 1 loss. He didn’t just catch them, he scored 103 yards worth! Against the Los Angeles Rams, he set personal records with eight catches and noted yardage in a single game.
As with any impactful trade, the true ramifications for each team will be revealed in the weeks to come as both squads look ahead. For the Jaguars, finding a way to work Meyers into their offensive gameplan should prove effective, assuming he can remain on the field. The Raiders need to take a long look at what they have in their receiver room. They have to continue to build for a post him, future.
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