Kelly, entering his first year as Vegas’ OC, has moved Jakobi Meyers and rookie Jack Bech from the outside to the slot in early practices. This suggests both receivers — along with Brock Bowers — could see varied use in what is expected to be a run-first Kelly offense. Meyers in his two years with the Raiders has played from the slot at a 31 percent rate, way down from his days in New England, which saw Meyers operate from the slot on two-thirds of his routes. Bech during his breakout 2024 season at TCU ran 27 percent of his routes from the slot. In 2024, Meyers ranked 40th out of 66 qualifying receivers in yards per route run from the slot, a key measure of pass-catching efficiency. That’s bound to rise with Geno Smith under center for Vegas in 2025.

Meyers is entering the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract signed in the 2023 offseason and coming off an 87/1027/4 receiving line in 2024. McFadden writes that the team views Meyers as a “key player” on the roster. Meyers could probably come close to a $20 million AAV in a new contract given the way the market is trending — that’s about what Stefon Diggs got from the Patriots this offseason after a lengthy wait.

With all due respect to Jakobi Meyers, who went for 87-1,027-4, it’s no secret that the Raiders have been in need of a No. 1 receiver ever since they traded Davante Adams last season. While Tee Higgins could be an option for the Raiders, should he come available, the more likely option will be a veteran via either a trade or free agency. This would immediately put Cooper Kupp or Stefon Diggs in play, guys like Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and DeAndre Hopkins could also be options, although none would be a long-term solution at the position. The Raiders have a ton of needs to address this offseason. Knowing what they need and being able to adequately address them are two different things, but it’s safe to say they’ll do their best to land a No. 1 receiver to play opposite Meyers next season.

Meyers entered the week needing a big game to cross 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He got there and then some through a handful of chunk plays, capping a career year in style for the veteran wideout. Meyers finished the season with 87 grabs for 1,027 yards and four scores. The former Patriot started the year slowly, playing third-fiddle to Davante Adams and rookie sensation Brock Bowers. That didn’t last long as Adams suffered a hamstring injury and was subsequently traded to the Jets. Meyers also missed time of his own with an injury but hit the ground running once healthy. All three of his 100-yard games and as many of his touchdowns came post-Adams. At 28 years old, Meyers has likely reached his peak as an NFL receiver, but high-end WR2 numbers are nothing to laugh at. Entering a contract year, Meyers will look to keep up the strong pace in search of either an extension or a new deal on the open market in 2026.