Jakobi Meyers did not arrive with the glow of a first round pick. He earned his way, one cut, one catch, one quiet rep at a time. This is the story of how a former college quarterback from Georgia became one of the league’s most trusted receivers, and why his name is in trade rumors today.
Early Life and the Switch that Changed Everything
Jakobi Meyers was born on November 9, 1996, in Lithonia, Georgia, and played quarterback at Arabia Mountain High School. He enrolled at North Carolina State and made a bold position change from quarterback to wide receiver, a move that unlocked his future. By his final season in Raleigh, he had become a high volume target and an all conference performer, setting the stage for a professional career.
Undrafted, Unshaken, and a Job in New England
Meyers entered the 2019 draft and did not hear his name called. He signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent and fought for a roster spot the hard way. As a rookie he contributed in limited action, then stepped forward in 2020 as the offense reset. The following seasons told a clear story. Steady production. Smart route running. Trust in big downs. In 2021 he crossed 80 receptions, and by 2022 he had established himself as a dependable starter who found windows in traffic and moved the sticks.
New Contract, New City, Same Reliable Hands
In March 2023, Meyers signed a three year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, rejoining a familiar coaching voice from his New England days. He made an instant impact with 71 catches, 807 yards, and eight touchdowns in his first season there, a strong complement to the presence on the other side of the field.
The momentum continued in 2024. Meyers posted 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns, showing the same traits that built his reputation in Foxborough. Precision. Timing. Balance at the top of routes. He became a comfort throw for quarterbacks who needed a sure option on third and medium.
Profile at a Glance
- Team: Las Vegas Raiders
- Position: Wide receiver
- College: NC State
- Height and weight: 6 feet 2 inches, 193 pounds
- Birthplace: Lithonia, Georgia
These basics do not tell the full story, yet they underscore the arc of a player who reshaped his path and kept improving each year.
The Trade Request and What It Means
In late August 2025, multiple outlets reported that Meyers met with team leaders and requested a trade after efforts to revise his contract stalled. Reporting from league insiders said the Raiders value him and do not plan to move him. That tension, a player who wants a new deal and a team that prizes his role, has fueled the conversation around his future.
The request also confirms something observers have noted for years. Meyers knows his value. He sees himself as a complete receiver who wins with craft and poise. A new deal would reflect years of reliable production in two systems that ask a lot of their receivers mentally and physically.
Where Could He Land If a Deal Ever Happened
Speculation arrived quickly. A detailed look at potential fits highlighted teams that prize route technicians and need a proven target who can work inside and outside. Four logical suitors surfaced in that analysis, including New England, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Minnesota. Each one could plug Meyers into a defined role right away, while giving him a chance to contribute on a postseason stage. Whether the Raiders engage is a different matter, yet the market case is easy to understand.
How He Wins
Meyers is not a size speed marvel. He wins with timing, leverage, and an understanding of space. On option routes he reads defenders like a former quarterback, which is exactly what he is. He feels zone coverage and settles where the passing lane is clean. Against man coverage he uses pace changes and shoulders to sell the break, then presents a friendly target. Quarterbacks trust him because he is where the playbook says he will be.
On third down he thrives. He will run the shallow cross and take a hit to move the chains. He will pivot, curl, or drag, then work back to the ball when protection breaks down. Coaches appreciate the details. Split adjustment. Depth discipline. Eyes to the tuck. Those habits show up week after week and they are why he keeps seeing the field.
Numbers that Back It Up
Look at the recent stretch. Seventy one catches for 807 yards and eight scores in 2023, then 87 for 1,027 and four in 2024. Those are not empty totals. Many came in crucial game states and tight windows. He has also thrown for touchdowns on trick plays, a reminder of his quarterback roots and the creative trust coaches place in him.
His physical profile remains steady, with a strong frame for traffic and enough acceleration to separate underneath. At 28 years old and entering his seventh professional season, he is squarely in his prime.
Defining Moments and Lessons Learned
Meyers has lived both sides of a viral moment. In 2022 a late lateral went wrong against the Raiders. He owned it in the locker room and moved on. That response told teammates and coaches everything they needed to know about his character. Then he signed in Las Vegas and scored twice in his debut, a fresh start that matched the work he had done behind the scenes. The lesson is simple. Mistakes do not end careers. Honest accountability and growth can build them.
What Comes Next
For now the Raiders appear intent on keeping him. The depth chart needs his stability and the coaching staff trusts him in tough situations. If contract talks thaw, the story might settle quietly. If not, front offices across the league will keep calling, because receivers who separate, convert third downs, and show up every Sunday are hard to find.
Either way Meyers has already shaped a notable career. A high school quarterback who changed positions. An undrafted rookie who climbed to a starting role. A consistent producer who makes quarterbacks breathe easier. The next chapter may bring a new deal or a new city. The qualities that got him here will travel wherever he goes.
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