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I hope the Meyers defenders know he's not better than Parker - Agholor or Bourne he's a #4 at best who used as a #1 here. Thornton and Nixon could make Meyers expandable I rather guys with a little more speed and Meyers is not quick either. I could see them Trading him if Nixon is for real Nixon have much better skill set potentially a guy who threaten the intermediate and deep parts of the field. TC should be very interesting with the WR competition.
I don't disagree with much of what you posted. CLEARLY the Pats have made "speed" a primary focus at a LOT of positions like WR, OL, RB, and ILB. I think this is going to be a factor going into next year when the Pats will have a good cap situation. So lets go to Meyers. Here's a guy who's forty time is slow (for the position) But remarkably its the SAME time (4.63) as Cooper Kupp (4.62) So why is Meyers an 800yd guy when he's getting the most targets and Kupp had almost 2000 yd and was CONSTANTLY getting open deep as we saw in the playoffs. I'm guessing the reason is Kupp's 6.75 3-cone time. He is just more explosive coming out of his cuts to gain a bit more separation. Now Meyer's time wasn't shabby at 7.07, but its likely the reason Kupp gest the separation of say an Edelman (who also had one of the fastest 3-cone times at his combine, though Edelman was rarely used on deep routes
Meyers has proven that he is a reliable target who gets open in short to mid range routes. 800 yds in your 3rd season with a rookie QB are good numbers. BUT Meyers is what he is and that is going to be the #4 WR at best to start the season. However the Pats won a LOT of games in the 20 year Brady era throwing to reliable guys just like Jacobi. I'm GLAD he's back and is a key dep.th piece that Mac is comfortable with already. He STILL has a role on this team and its an important one. That's why I glad that Nixon and Wilkerson will be pressing HARD to move up the ladder. Its about time we have decent talent at WR that's being pressed by legitimate contenders (if what we saw in minicamp with Nixon was any indication)
Competition is a key component in making everyone better and the ENTIRE WR has a LOT to prove and playing well this season is really important to all of then.
1 its a contract year for Aghular - He's either going to be a $15MM/yr guy or a $5MM/guy after this season,. So being his best is critical for him.
2. Its also a big year for Bourne. He is currently making relative peanuts for this year and the next year. ($3.5 and $4.5 ) With a big year, he will get a big extension next year and I believe he WILL be a breakout performer this year,
3. Parker - is in a similar situation. He has 2 years left with the Pats at about a very reasonable $6MM/year. If HE wants a big raise in an extention then he has to have a big year too.
4. Meyers - as we said, for him he's either going to be a $4MM/yr guy for us or his next team in 2023 or a $10MM guy for his next team.
5-7 - Nixon, Wilkerson, and Montgomery are all just desperately struggling to stay in the league. I LIKE the desperate part of that sentence. We don't have to worry about these guys motivation for camp.
So for all of our top guys it is CRITICAL they play well this year. I LIKE that. ALL these guys NEED to perform at a high level if they want to make big money for us or some other team. So not only will their coaches and teammates be urging them on, so will their agents be on the phone telling them to work hard and smarter because anything other than excellence will determine if any of them will get "paid"
BTW- in my never ending quest to remind people that Mac Jones is a very good athlete, it didn't surprise me that Mac's 3-cone time was SLIGHTLY better than Jacobi's (7.04 vs 7.07)
