The New England Patriots sit atop the AFC East, boasting a 4-2 record after a 25-19 Week 6 victory against the New Orleans Saints.
New England looks like a completely different team this season than the team that finished last in the division in back-to-back seasons. Quarterback Drake Maye has taken the offense to new heights in his sophomore season, with players including Hunter Henry, Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte making their impact on the offense known.
As the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline rapidly approaches, Pro Football Focus’s Bradley Locker listed 20 potential trade candidates ahead of the deadline, with the Patriots as a landing spot to trade for and reunite with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
“During his stint in Las Vegas, Meyers has overcome highly questionable quarterbacking to still play like an above-average receiver. In fact, since 2023, Meyers owns an 80.3 PFF receiving grade while dropping just five passes — tied for the fewest among receivers with 200 or more targets in that span,” Locker wrote Monday. “This season, Meyers has earned a 69.5 PFF receiving grade and averaged a career-best 5.6 yards after the catch per reception.
“Pete Carroll’s first season with the Raiders has been a disaster, with the team having only an 8% chance to make the playoffs through five games. With Meyers on an expiring deal and Las Vegas drafting both Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. in April, the veteran could be expendable. The Steelers are only 25th in yards by slot receivers this year and could use another viable option next to D.K. Metcalf, and Josh McDaniels could be interested in a reunion with Meyers in New England.”
Meyer has excelled in Las Vegas after signing a three-year, $33 million contract before the 2023 season. The 28-year-old receiver amassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in a season last year, and is nearly on pace to do it again this year.
With the Raiders’ season not going well and Meyers on an expiring contract, it would not be surprising to see the team trade him. Whether New England would welcome a reunion with Meyers remains to be seen, but adding another veteran wide receiver can only help in Maye’s development.
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