With the 2026 NFL trade deadline near, ESPN's Seth Walder went back and re-graded each trade deadline deal from 2025, including theJacksonville Jaguars' move for WR Jakobi Meyers.
To acquire Meyers, the Jaguars sent 2026 fourth- and sixth-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders.
When the trade was first made, Walder gave the Jaguars a C+ for the deal. Now, he gives Jacksonville a B+.
"Meyers has been a helpful player in his own right, recording 1.6 yards per route run since arriving in Jacksonville," Walder wrote. "And Trevor Lawrence has also ranked seventh in QBR in the NFL in that span. That is no doubt a confluence of many factors, but having a reliable No. 2 receiver like Meyers is one of them."
Immediately upon his arrival to Jacksonville, Meyers
made a big impact. His skill set makes him a terrific fit for the Coen offense. He can be moved around pre-snap, while in the passing game, Meyers is comfortable and effective attacking the middle and intermediate parts of the football field -- not to mention that he's a willing run blocker as well.
This role can help open up opportunities for others and also creates plenty of targets for Meyers, who has been a reliable pass-catcher throughout his career.
Meyers' play was quickly rewarded with an in-season contract extension.
This season has been much of the same. Meyers has caught 26 of 36 passes for 374 yards with two touchdowns. Of his 26 receptions, 22 have picked up a first down.
"In retrospect, the fourth- and sixth-round picks they surrendered for Meyers were worth it for the Jaguars considering the team's uptick in play," Walder wrote. "I had considered him a rental prior to the trade, but Meyers signed an extension before the end of the season that was worth $20 million per year. So he isn't a value going forward but is important to a 2026 Jaguars team that's among the best in the AFC."
Walder gave the Raiders an A- when the trade was first made. His new grade for Las Vegas is slightly lower at a B+.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: ESPN re-grades Jaguars, Raiders Jakobi Meyers trade one year later
