All The Way Up: Can Jakobi Meyers Be The Patriots Next Star Slot Receiver?

Last season, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was one of the very few bright spots for the New England Patriots. The North Carolina State product proved he could be a reliable weapon.

As things stand, the Patriots are entering year two since the departure of quarterback Tom Brady. On top of that, the team just drafted Mac Jones, a franchise quarterback, in the NFL Draft. Of course, Cam Newton is expected to be the week one starter.

In order for the Patriots to get back to being a playoff team in 2021, the team is going to need better production from the wide receivers. One particular position that used to be the focal point to New England’s offense is the slot.

Over the years, New England had some excellent players playing in the slot. Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, and Julian Edelman all put up impressive stats. In fact, Brown, Amendola, and Edelman all won Super Bowls, and Welker put up over 1000 yards receiving in five out of his six seasons in New England.

So can Jakobi Meyers be the next Patriots slot wide receiver? With Edelman retiring, the door is wide open for the next guy to fill that role.

Jakobi Meyers led the #Patriots receivers in virtually all categories last season.

81 targets. 59 catches. 729 receiving yards.

Could Meyers have an even better season in 2021? pic.twitter.com/WS5be6MBks

— Kevin Tame Jr. (@Kevin_Tame) July 9, 2021

In 2020, no receiver on the roster had more receptions and yards than Meyers. As a matter of fact. in over 14 games, Meyers led the Patriots in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. As well as Meyers played and stepped up when the team needed him the most, the Patriot’s offense struggled last season. Cam Newton threw for under 100 yards in four games. He had nine games in which he did not throw a touchdown pass. Meyers remained the lone bright light in the passing game.

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Cam Newton Believes

After three consecutive weeks that Meyers led the Patriots in receiving, including a career performance on Monday Night Football against the division rival New York Jets, Patriots quarterback Cam Newton took notice. How could he not? He targeted Meyers 14 times and Meyers caught 12 passes for 169 yards.

Back in November of the 2020 season, Cam Newton publicly endorsed his confidence in a weekly spot on WEEI Radio.

“I had a conversation with (Meyers) a couple weeks ago just saying, ‘Bro, I believe in you. I don’t think you believe enough in you to know that you can play this game at a high level,’ ” said Newton. “And we’ve all seen, when given an opportunity, what he can do. But yet he’s just showing up and proving who and what he can be for this offense and putting this league on notice.”

What’s even more intriguing about the Newton and Meyers relationship is that it goes way back prior to their Patriots days. As a matter of fact, Newton once coached Meyers in high school. Meyers earned a spot on a 7-on-7 team coached by Newton in Georgia.

“Where I’m from, we all looked up to Cam,” said Meyers. “It was a surreal moment to be able to meet someone that me and a lot of my friends looked up to.”

Meyers was actually a quarterback back then. He’s following Edelman’s footsteps being a quarterback that transitioned into a wide receiver.

Nelson Agholor’s a fan of Meyers game

Agholor signed a two-year deal worth a total of $26 million. The seven-year veteran receiver had nothing but praise for Meyers.

“I’ve actually watched him on tape since he’s been in the league, and I’ve always been a fan of his game,” Agholor, 28, told reporters during a video conference during OTA Offseason Workouts. “I think he’s a true competitor.”

“I think he’s a savvy player,” said Agholor, a 2015 first-round draft choice who easily has the most NFL experience in the Patriots receiver room after stops with the Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. “You know, he’s very savvy how he plays inside, and I think he has amazing hands. I think he’s sure-handed in the middle. He’s tough, makes tough grabs through the middle.”

What do you think? Can Jakobi Meyers become the next star slot receiver for the Patriots? Could he be Cam Newton’s version of Tom Brady’s Julian Edelman He certainly has his coach’s and teammate’s confidence. With all of the additions of more offensive firepower, Meyers should be primed for a big season. He should also catch his first touchdown pass.

–Kevin Tame Jr. is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Tame