According to Cole McCauley of Clutch Points, 2019 undrafted receiver Jakobi Meyers was an impact player for the New England Patriots.
"While the former North Carolina State product finished the season with zero touchdowns, the Patriots rookie wideout did manage 26 receptions for 359 yards in 15 games played," wrote McCauley. However, McCauley failed to point out Meyers never really earned Brady's trust.
Meyers was one of two undrafted free agent wideouts to make the roster in 2019. Fans might not be the only one expecting big improvement from Meyers, at least according to Paul Perillo of Patriots.com.
Paul wrote "Bill Belichick often says a player's biggest improvement comes in their second year. With a season of NFL football under their belts, players are often more comfortable and allow their abilities to take over."
Meyers is expected to make the sophomore leap and to be a lock for the 2020 Patriots roster. Meyers displayed a connection with with Jarrett Stidham in the preseason and with Stidham looking to be the full time starter, Meyers is expected to continue where he left off last August.
Meyers had this to say. "Mentally, I want to be levels ahead of where I was last year," Meyers said of his goals for 2020. "Understanding not only what we're doing but also why we're doing it. Earning trust to make the right play. I want to build on last year. It was a nice stepping stone, but I want to keep building and growing."
Meyers hasn't been doing much this offseason besides the virtual training. With covid-19, that is probably the best thing Meyers can do at the moment. As everyone saw with the NBA, it only takes one player to shutdown the league.
Meyers continued ""I don't need a football field to know what my assignment is, I feel like I will be a lot further ahead. I didn't know if I'd even make the team or what role I might have or where I'd be playing. I still have chip on my shoulder, like will I even be here? I'm staying ready for my name to be called. I need to make sure I give them a reason to keep me around."
Meyers has one small advantage, Meyers is a former quarterback. That gives him the ability to read a defense that can take other receivers years to master. Meyers is built like a classic flanker, and looks like he's ready to take over that role completely as the last to claim it was Chris Hogan. Meyers stands 6'2" and weights approximately 200 lbs.
Meyers had a great preseason in 2020, showing a tremendous connection with Stidham. It's like they could read each other's minds.
Perillo wrote, "He often showed his toughness between the hashes, where he made catches in traffic while also breaking more than his share of tackles to pick up extra yards. Those yards are critical in the Patriots passing attack, which often relies on the ability of the receivers to move the chains after making the catch."
Meyers said his mental preparation and processing ability is going to be key to him having a better 2020 season. But Meyers is ready to get on the field as soon as the Patriots open camp.
"That's the key for me this year, I want to be the best I can mentally. The more I understand what I'm doing the better I can play, the faster I can play. People will always be able to find you if you don't know what you're doing. You will be exposed Last season was a learning experience. It was a perfect chance for me to learn, and for me to figure out how I would learn from it.
I try to stay in touch as much as I can with everyone, There's going to be a time they call us back and we have to be ready to go at the drop of a hat. I'm doing the right things now to make sure I'm ready. It's a tough situation for any organization to handle, but I feel like they're doing a great job with us.
The whole process has definitely different. Last year I was in the building and my day was scheduled for me pretty much 24/7. Now I have a lot more free time than I did last year and I have to make sure I stick to my schedule. My head is 100 percent we're going to have a season," he said, "and I'm ready to go."
The situation Meyers and the rest of the players in the NFL is definitely hurting development. By now coaches have had a chance to evaluate players in an NFL camp and have an Idea of who has a realistic chance of making the roster. That's not an ability coaches had this year.
As long as Meyers performs well, he should be safe but this is the NFL. Julian Edelman is the only Patriots receiver that is safe, even N'Keal Harry will have to earn his spot in 2020. Meyers will have to give no less then 110% again this year.
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