Every team has a player or two that is a bit underappreciated by their fans or the rest of the league. That could be due to the position they play or maybe even their draft status.
But who is that player for the Raiders going into the 2023 season? Well, it’s probably someone who hasn’t even taken a snap yet with the team.
In a recent article by Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com, she wrote about the most underappreciated players for every AFC team heading into 2023. For the Raiders, that player was newly acquired wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Here is what Frelund had to say about the new receiver for the Raiders:
As a Patriot last season, Meyers earned 210 yards on crossing routes (fifth most in the NFL). He also posted a career-high 51 receiving yards over expected on all routes (his previous high was 13), 2.2 receptions over expected on go routes (eighth-best among NFL receivers) and a 130.5 passer rating when targeted on passes of 10-plus air yards (fourth best in the NFL).
There is volume to be had in Meyers’ new home with the Raiders, thanks to the exit of tight end Darren Waller this offseason. Defenses will have to figure out both Meyers and Davante Adams; they are a receiving duo for fantasy players to keep an eye on.
Meyers is expected to play both in the slot and on the outside for the Raiders as Josh McDaniels will likely move him all over the formation. He is expected to be the other receiver on the field with Davante Adams when the Raiders are in two-receiver sets.
There is no question that Meyers is a reliable and consistent receiver. But we shall see how well he fits in with the Raiders and with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Given how his career has gone so far, he should a big role with the team as soon as this year.