Jakobi Meyers did not have an easy path to production in 2020. The New England Patriots receiver didn’t exactly flash enormous potential in training camp, even after an impressive rookie season. And it seemed he might be on the roster bubble when the team trimmed to 53 men.
Meyers made the team, but found himself at the bottom of the depth chart, behind Damiere Byrd, Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry. But as Edelman went on injured reserve and Harry struggled to make an impact, Meyers rose up the depth chart and emerged as Cam Newton’s go-to option. That seems to be why Pro Football Focus, a digital scouting service, put Meyers at 25th on its list of the top 25 receivers in the NFL.
Here’s why the website ranked Meyers at No. 25:
Meyers was sneakily one of the most productive wide receivers in the league despite putting up a goose egg in the touchdowns column due to Josh McDaniels pounding the rock in the red zone. The former UDFA generated 2.24 yards per route run, 10th at the position and second among second-year wide receivers behind only A.J. Brown.
In the final 11 games of the season, Meyers managed 58 receptions for 722 yards with no touchdowns. It’s strange to think he didn’t manage a single touchdown, except that the Patriots had just 12 passing touchdowns in 2020 — and Meyers threw two of them. New England elected to run the ball when it got into the end zone, with a dearth of options in the passing game.
It will be fascinating to see where Meyers lands on the depth chart in 2021. With Edelman returning from injury, New England could sign a free agent talent (like Will Fuller) or draft a speedy receiver (like DeVonta Smith) to make for an impressive 1-2-3 punch at wideout.
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