With Malik Nabers officially out for the remainder of the 2025 season, it would behoove the New York Giants to target another starting-caliber wide receiver ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Not necessarily because they are in “win-now” mode, but because aiding rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in his development should be priority No. 1.
Right now, Dart’s receiving corps lacks talent, with veterans Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson as the current headliners of the group. So, why not supplement those two role players with a new “WR1?” Even if the trade market doesn’t have any true replacements for Nabers.
On September 29, CBS Sports writer Jeff Kerr discussed a few wide receiver options for the Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders pass-catcher Jakobi Meyers stood out as a potential under-the-radar trade target.
“Meyers is one of the underrated receivers in the NFL, an excellent route runner that would help any quarterback,” Kerr noted. “He’s been good for the Raiders this season (21 catches for 258 yards) and it would take a higher price to get him, but Meyers is also in the final year of his contract with the Raiders.”
“Las Vegas wasn’t expected to compete this season, a year which the franchise looked for stability with Pete Carroll,” he continued. “They are getting that at the moment, even with the play of Geno Smith and the 1-3 record. Meyers, who is also 29, can boost up his free agency stock whether he’s with the Raiders or Giants.”
Kerr finished by urging Big Blue to consider a trade for Meyers. Concluding: “This would be a smart move for the Giants as they can give Dart a reliable route runner with Nabers out.”
Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers’ Game Would Line Up Really Well With Giants QB Jaxson Dart
Dart is at his best in the short and intermediate passing game and enjoys hitting his receivers on routes inside the numbers. That’s Meyers’ game to a T, and the shifty veteran profiles as a great fit for Dart and this offense.
Not only is Meyers reliable, with strong hands, but he has a knack for getting open on crossing patterns and possession routes. This could blend well with head coach Brian Daboll’s new RPO-styled offense predicated on getting the ball out fast.
According to CBS Sports analyst Jared Dubin and TruMedia, “65% of Dart’s throws came within 2.5 seconds of the snap. By contrast, [Russell] Wilson released only 43.2% of his throws in that quick-game window. Befitting that style of play, the Giants also had Dart attack the shorter areas of the field more often than did Wilson. His average depth of throw was only 6.3 yards, compared with Wilson’s 9.3 yards.”
Meyers is the perfect playmaker for a short and intermediate passing attack like this one.
Giants WR Trade Candidate Jakobi Meyers Has Been a Model of Consistency
Despite never being voted to a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro roster, Meyers has generally performed throughout his NFL career.
Appearing in 14 or more games in every season since 2019, the former New England Patriots UDFA earned a $33 million contract in free agency in 2023. He did this after achieving three straight campaigns of 700-plus receiving yards (800-plus from 2021-2022).
With the Raiders, Meyers has continued that track record of consistency, with 807 receiving yards in 2023 and his first 1,000-yard season in 2024.
Last year, in a career campaign, Meyers caught 87 of 129 targets for 1,027 yards and 4 touchdowns, resembling a true WR1 in Las Vegas following the Davante Adams trade.
With running back Ashton Jeanty, a new young core of wideouts and tight end Brock Bowers, it feels like the Raiders‘ new-look regime is moving away from Meyers a bit in 2024. His numbers have still been solid, but the offense has not run through him as much as last year.