Our Receivers Are Already Better Than In 2022

[jimnance]

Juju is faster and better than Meyers. Look at their career stats on a per game basis, the only even way to judge them.

Rec. - Yds. - TD’s
3.9 - 46.0 - 0.1 Meyers
5.1 - 60.6 - 0.4 JuJu

They’re both plus blockers from the slot, what separates Juju is speed. Meyers took a long time to score his first TD because he is glacially slow. Juju had more TD’s in one season than Meyers has for his career and Juju can get yards after the catch because defenders take longer to catch up to him.

You're overstating it. Juju ran a 4.54, Meyers also ran a 4.54 at the 2017 combine and then a 4.63 at the 2019.
Not an appreciable difference. I've never been impressed by Juju. Its basically a wash with him and Meyers.
The passing game and offense in general should be much improved with a real OC and hopefully a decent OT in the draft.
Gesicki will help.

 

[Wozzy]

You're overstating it. Juju ran a 4.54, Meyers also ran a 4.54 at the 2017 combine and then a 4.63 at the 2019.
Not an appreciable difference. I've never been impressed by Juju. Its basically a wash with him and Meyers.
The passing game and offense in general should be much improved with a real OC and hopefully a decent OT in the draft.
Gesicki will help.

Jakobi Meyers ran a 4.63 forty at the 2019 combine.

Meyers didn't run anything at the 2017 combine, the combine is for players who have declared for the draft.

4.63 is slow for a WR... it's pretty decent for a TE or LB though.

Juju is also slightly cheaper than Meyers, along with being faster.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

We'll miss Meyers' ability to get open. Between his football IQ and quick change of direction, he was dependably open. And also great at contested catches. I'm hoping with the added weapons we have and better OL play and playcalling, BOB can scheme to get guys open every play so we don't miss Jakobi. That said, JuJu is good, and twice the runner after the catch so we can look forward to that.

James Robinson could be the sleeper acquisition. If he's all the way back, he can take over a game both running and receiving. And Gesicki is the best receiving TE we've had since Gronk. Mac will have good targets all over the field.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

They’ve improved enough to still be a bottom third receiving corp easily

 

[Zuma]

Not only does Juju have a better YAC then Meyers...he also has a very impressive 70% career catch rate. Jakobi's is 68% which is good as well. Not that they are similar players but for another comparison...Nelson Agholor has a 59% catch rate over his career.

IMO the Patriots still need an offensive threat that can draw double teams so Juju (and other players) can be as productive as he was when with the Steelers.

 

[jimnance]

Jakobi Meyers ran a 4.63 forty at the 2019 combine.

Meyers didn't run anything at the 2017 combine, the combine is for players who have declared for the draft.

4.63 is slow for a WR... it's pretty decent for a TE or LB though.

Juju is also slightly cheaper than Meyers, along with being faster.

According to foxsports Meyers ran a 4.54 at the 2017 combine. Look it up.
Yes 4.63 is slow for a wr but so is Juju's 4.54.

 

[n6249c]

I don't know that Juju is a downgrade at all.. only criticism I read was from some AFC Gms stating that he got pretty much the same contract Myers eas given. I like Myers wish we could have kept him..

Juju is a YAC machine that is what seperates him from Myers..

Yes. The criticism has been a lot of folks taking shots at Bill for letting Meyers go and then signing Juju for essentially the same money. Most of them express a lukewarm opinion that Meyers was the better choice and should have been retained because he was dependable and could be relied on to catch passes.

None of them said anything about why Juju was lacking in any way, at least not that I saw. My overall impression was that it was a chance to bash Belichick for making a like for like exchange that involved parting ways with a dependable worker.

I think Bill made the move because he’s looking to improve the team. He knows what Meyers will bring, because he is what he is. He’s a nice guy and good worker, slow and steady. He’s not a burner, not flashy, unexciting. And he’s not going to suddenly morph into a guy who will get YAC and show break away speed. He‘ll never take the top off a defense.

Juju has a little more sizzle. He’s been hurt, and maybe underutilized, so his results the past couple of years haven’t been eye popping. BB obviously decided it’s worth taking a chance that he’ll bounce back with better health and better utilization. I think he’ll turn out to be right, and all his critics will be quietly ignoring their comments by midseason.

 

[n6249c]

I love the devaluing of departed Patriots that goes on here all the time (not necessarily by you). Considering it even happens with Brady, I shouldn't be surprised that the leading WR on the team for the past two seasons suddenly "wasn't that good after all." Funny how that works.

Not always. Now that Meyers has departed he’s being even more overvalued, for a very dependable fairly average receiver.

 

[Wozzy]

According to foxsports Meyers ran a 4.54 at the 2017 combine. Look it up.
Yes 4.63 is slow for a wr but so is Juju's 4.54.

Jakobi Meyers left college in 2019, he wasn't at the combine in 2017... Fox Sports has been sniffing glue.

4.5 is average, compared to 4.6 it's a fair amount. Juju's career yards after the catch average and higher TD average highlights why being a little bit faster in the slot matters.

Even if we accept that this was a lateral move:
Juju is making 8.5 million in average salary and was guaranteed 16 million.
Meyers is making 11 million in average salary and was guaranteed 21 million.

Juju is cheaper and faster.

 

[jimnance]

Jakobi Meyers left college in 2019, he wasn't at the combine in 2017...Fox Sports has been sniffing glue.

4.5 is average, compared to 4.6 it's a fair amount. Juju's career yards after the catch average and higher TD average highlights why being a little bit faster in the slot matters.

Even if we accept that this was a lateral move:
Juju is making 8.5 million in average salary and was guaranteed 16 million.
Meyers is making 11 million in average salary and was guaranteed 21 million.

Juju is cheaper and faster.

Maybe he declared for the draft in 2017,did the combine and then withdrew. He would've been eligible. I didn't follow his college career so I'm just going on what I read. They're a reputable source.
But regardless, juju is not a big upgrade over Meyers. They are close. I like Meyers better. You don't. Regardless I hope Juju is great as Patriot and can stay on the field

 

[Wozzy]

Maybe he declared for the draft in 2017,did the combine and then withdrew. He would've been eligible. I didn't follow his college career so I'm just going on what I read. They're a reputable source.

NFL.com has a draft combine page, you can always check there, but draftscout.com has accurate numbers.

Meyers wasn't invited to the 2017 combine, you can't just show up, he wasn't there.

But regardless, juju is not a big upgrade over Meyers. They are close. I like Meyers better. You don't. Regardless I hope Juju is great as Patriot and can stay on the field

Faster and cheaper is better.

I liked Meyers also, going back to the 2019 draft... but I also would like the slot receiver to have a little more speed and ability to score a TD now and again.

 

[BTTA]

I am in minority here but I think offense will be better with simply improved OL play, the addition of a 2nd competent TE, and a slight improvement in WR talent/play. Just having a real OC and OL coaches I think drastically improves our offense and the roster looks incrementally better even before draft/rest of FA.

Not saying we will light the world on fire with our O, but I think we will be competent at worst (for reference, I rate 2021 Offense in the "dumpster fire" category).

I also think the D is in good shape, so hopefully lots of draft picks on O to further improve the line, maybe a young TE, WR to complement our existing group.

I think you are in a relatively quiet majority.

 

[ralmat55]

Maybe he declared for the draft in 2017,did the combine and then withdrew. He would've been eligible. I didn't follow his college career so I'm just going on what I read. They're a reputable source.
But regardless, juju is not a big upgrade over Meyers. They are close. I like Meyers better. You don't. Regardless I hope Juju is great as Patriot and can stay on the field

You can’t undeclare for the NFL draft. You can in the NBA but not the NFL.

 

[ralmat55]

The question should not be are the 2023 receivers already as good as the 2022 receivers. The question should be are the 23 receivers better than the 2021 receivers when the Pats offense was in the top ten in both yards and points with a rookie QB?

The answer is yes. Parker, Smith-Schuster, Bourne, Thornton, Gesicki, and Hunter are better than Meyers, Agholor, Bourne, Harry, Jonnu Smith and Hunter. In addition, Stevenson is a better receiving back than Harris.

 

[Ivan]

I've done a 180 and think BB surprises and goes playmaker in the 1st round. I'm hoping for Zay Flowers.
I know OT or CB is the safer bet, but the pressure is on this team (and BB the GM) in a major way.
I wouldn't be surprised if he trades down to mid-20's, and tries to get Zay, or even TE Mayer.
(I don't know why some mocks have them taking Bijan at #14, that's stupid. We have Rham & Strong & just signed Robinson)

I think they need an impact receiver added to this roster, but if Bijan Robinson is there a # 14 it would be really hard to pass him up. And it would give them the best running game in the league. Then they would have to find a WR later in the draft.

 

[jimnance]

NFL.com has a draft combine page, you can always check there, but draftscout.com has accurate numbers.

Meyers wasn't invited to the 2017 combine, you can't just show up, he wasn't there.

Faster and cheaper is better.

I liked Meyers also, going back to the 2019 draft... but I also would like the slot receiver to have a little more speed and ability to score a TD now and again.

All I know is what I read. Maybe he had a pro day in 2017 and someone at foxsports screwed up. Whatever.
Yeah I also like more speed and more importantly explosiveness, ala Edelman.
Thats not either one of these guys

 

[jimnance]

You can’t undeclare for the NFL draft. You can in the NBA but not the NFL.

Thanks. I don't follow the draft much other than when it happens.
Then I do my research on players the Pats select. To me,there's no point in doing research on someone who may not end up in NE.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

What a thread! Take away Patricia and everyone is better .. maybe 2024 will be better with judge gone

 

[Sam Bam Cunningham]

Our receiving corp is already better than in 2022. We have

1) a better OC

2) a better OL coach

3) a 2nd receiving TE

4) improved OT's

5) the addition of a receiving RB

6) Thornton, Bourne and Parker should all be better with better coaching and with another year together
=================
I believe that Belichick will continue to
6) try to find a top receiver at a reasonable price
7) bring in competition for camp (also needed in case of injury)
8) Look for a 5th receiver in the draft
===========
HOWEVER, Belichick may be more satisfied with what we have than we are, with 7 targets behind an improved OL.

WR: Shuster, Thornton, Parker, Bourne
TE: Henry, Gesicki
RB: Harrison

No. They are not.
OTs are better? Really on what basis

Wishful thinking. By far the worst group in the division.

 

[ahmed]

We lost our #WR1 and we won't know how his replacement measures up till he steps on the field.