Jets are one gutsy move away from shaking up the AFC playoff picture

The New York Jets aren’t supposed to be part of the AFC playoff conversation this season. After a five-win campaign in 2024 and a roster that still feels like it’s finding its identity under Aaron Glenn, most expectations peg them as a team in the midst of transition as opposed to contention.

But all it might take is one gutsy move to flip that script. Perhaps that move could be trading for disgruntled Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.

Fresh off a career year with over 1,000 yards and zero drops, Meyers has reportedly requested a trade and could be the kind of reliable weapon the Jets’ offense has been missing behind Garrett Wilson.

Meyers is still very much in his prime at just 28 years old and represents both a short-term upgrade and a potential long-term investment. The Raiders may not be in a rush to deal him, but the writing appears to be on the wall.

Meyers is seeking a new extension, and the Raiders don't seem willing to give him the type of deal he wants. The door could be open for the Jets to strike.

Jakobi Meyers trade could solidify the Jets as legitimate playoff contenders

Meyers has built a reputation as one of the most dependable receivers in football. The Jets don’t need another highlight-reel specialist — they need consistency, and Meyers would walk into Florham Park as the perfect complement to Wilson.

The Jets' wide receiver depth chart behind Wilson is a mess. Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are little more than veteran depth options, while rookie Arian Smith is still a flawed player who has yet to appear in an NFL game.

A proven veteran like Meyers would immediately raise the floor of the offense while giving Justin Fields the reliable security blanket he doesn't really have outside of Wilson (and maybe rookie tight end Mason Taylor).

The expected cost is another reason this move makes sense. Meyers is unlikely to command a massive trade package — a Day 3 pick should be enough to get it done — though he will want a contract extension.

That’s a hurdle the Jets would need to clear, but it’s a risk worth taking if the payoff is a legitimate shot at competing in the AFC this season. Meyers isn't just a short-term fix either. There's no reason why he can't be a part of the offensive core moving forward.

Of course, the Jets probably don't want to invest significant money in their wide receiver room after Wilson's extension, especially given the run-heavy offense they plan to run. But if any receiver target makes sense, it's probably Meyers.

One gutsy move could be all it takes. If the Jets want to shake up the AFC playoff picture, Jakobi Meyers is the swing worth taking.

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