Disgruntled WR emerging as 'name to watch' in Jets trade rumors

The New York Jets are set to enter the 2025 season with one of the weakest wide receiver groups in the NFL. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the collection of unproven youngsters and journeyman veterans stacks up with the league’s most underwhelming depth charts.

That's why many have suggested that the team turn to the trade market in search of a viable upgrade at the position. Last week, one very interesting name emerged as a potential candidate.

Las Vegas Raiders standout Jakobi Meyers requested a trade late last month ahead of the start of the 2025 season. Meyers is entering the final year of his contract, and while the Raiders reportedly have no plans to trade him at this time, the two sides don't appear close to reaching a deal on an extension.

ESPN's Rich Cimini joined many fans in connecting the former Patriots wideout to the Jets in a recent report. Cimini labeled Meyers as a "name to watch" in Jets trade rumors, specifically citing his connection to Jets passing game coordinator Scott Turner.

Jakobi Meyers could be the solution to the Jets' WR issues

Turned crossed paths with Meyers in Las Vegas as the team's passing game coordinator in 2023 and 2024, and later their interim offensive coordinator last season. He joined the Jets as part of Aaron Glenn's first coaching staff this past February.

Turner has spoken very highly of Meyers in the past, including this past December when he referred to the six-year veteran as "one of my favorite players that I've ever coached." Perhaps that connection could convince the Jets to make a move.

Meyers is fresh off a career year in which he finished with 87 catches for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns as the Raiders' No. 1 wide receiver following the midseason departure of Davante Adams.

The NC State product has long been one of the NFL's most underrated wide receivers. Meyers was targeted 126 times in 2024 and wasn't credited with a single drop. Meanwhile, his 2.3% drop rate ranks fourth-best among all NFL wide receivers since 2020, behind only DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The Jets seem unlikely to surrender significant assets — both draft capital and financial — for a second wide receiver, especially given the offense they plan to run. But if the team were to go shopping for a big-name wideout, Meyers is one of the few options that make sense.

Meyers is still only 28 years old, and while his next extension would carry a notable price tag, it likely wouldn’t break the bank. He represents both a clear short-term upgrade and a smart long-term investment for the offense.

The Jets will need to upgrade their wide receiver room sooner rather than later, whether it’s to support Justin Fields or the quarterback who eventually replaces him. Meyers could be that upgrade, and right now, there appears to be at least a little smoke to the fire.

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