2023 NFL free agency: Ranking the top 10 wide receivers
1. Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
Let’s not get it twisted — Jakobi Meyers is a really good player. He’s done a tremendous job of working really hard, getting better at his craft, and earning his way to this spot on a pre-NFL free agency list at the very top.
With that being said, it does speak to the way this receiver market is that Meyers is no. 1 on the list. He presents arguably the least amount of risk when it comes to injuries. Although he missed a handful of games this past season, he’s only missed six games so far in four NFL seasons.
Meyers caught 67 passes in 2022 after catching 83 passes in 2021. It would be a shame for Mac Jones if someone like Meyers hit free agency, but that’s kind of just been how the Patriots operate.
Meyers is just a solid all-around player at the position. He doesn’t have blazing 4.3 speed but he’s got burst and explosiveness to his game, and I actually really like the comparison between Meyers in NFL Free Agency this year and Christian Kirk last year with the Jaguars:
Jakobi Meyers is about to be the Christian Kirk of this years free agency. And just like Kirk he’s a good player so make sure you save your outrage for something else when you see his contract. This is the game. This is how it works. pic.twitter.com/Qrv7DzbtrO
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 1, 2023
At the time Christian Kirk was signed, many people (myself included) thought the contract he got from the Jaguars was absolutely bonkers. It just goes to show that you can’t maybe rush to conclusions with most moves because Kirk was a key reason why the Jaguars won the AFC South this year and he made some huge plays for them.
Jakobi Meyers may not be a long-term player for the Patriots but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to go elsewhere and find long-term success.