Could Mick Lombardi help the Raiders land Jakobi Meyers in free agency?
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders are filling out their coaching staff, and their new offensive coordinator could be a key to landing Jakobi Meyers.
The New England Patriots signed Jakobi Meyers as an undrafted free agent back in 2019, after a breakout season for the NC State Wolfpack during the 2018 college football season. Originally recruited to NC State as a quarterback, Meyers would go on to break Torry Holt’s single-season reception record for the Wolfpack his final season on campus, leaving school early for the NFL Draft.
After signing with New England, Meyers would play sparingly as a rookie before being utilized more in the offense in 2020. He would rack up over 700 receiving yards his second season, and even tossed two touchdown passes, leading to an advanced role in the offense with Mac Jones at quarterback last season.
In 2021, Meyers would have a breakout season for the Patriots, hauling in 83 passes for nearly 900 yards, finding the end zone twice. He started all 17 games for that Josh McDaniels-run offense, and in 2022, maybe he joins McDaniels with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Meyers to the Raiders would certainly make a lot of sense, as he continued to gain McDaniels’ trust over the last two seasons. With Las Vegas, he would slide in as a solid depth piece at wide receiver, and could offer them a wrinkle in the passing game, making him a free agent to certainly keep an eye on this offseason.
Raiders new OC could help bring Meyers to Las Vegas
On Saturday, it was announced that the Raiders were bringing in Mick Lombardi, the Patriots wide receiver coach, to be their offensive coordinator. Lombardi had been with the Patriots from 2019 on, serving as quarterbacks coach before moving over to help the wideouts, so he is very well-versed in what Meyers can bring to the table.
Wide receiver is going to be a position group the Raiders attack this offseason, and Meyers is someone who knows McDaniels’s offense and can be a real playmaker on this roster. Derek Carr needs more weapons on the outside, and in Meyers, he would gain not only someone who can help Hunter Renfrow in the slot but also a deep threat when needed.