Raiders report: WR says it ‘feels great’ to hit personal milestone

Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers immediately did the sign of the cross and pointed to the sky after hauling in a 24-yard pass from quarterback Aidan O’Connell in the fourth quarter Sunday.

Meyers knew that was enough to push him over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season for the first time in his six-year NFL career. It was a significant personal milestone for the 28-year-old, and he got it in the Raiders’ 34-20 loss to the Chargers in their season finale at Allegiant Stadium.

“I just had to thank God in that moment because I wouldn’t be here without him,” Meyers said. “It feels great. I know my people back at home are real excited. I’ve been doing this for them and I’m grateful they got to experience it and be a part of this journey with me.”

Meyers, whose previous career high was 866 yards with the Patriots in 2021, entered Sunday 96 yards shy of the 1,000-yard milestone. He finished with nine catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.

Meyers is first undrafted player in Raiders history with three 100-yard games in a season as a receiver. He’s just the 11th undrafted player in NFL history to have a 1,000-yard season as a receiver.

“I love stats like that,” Meyers said. “It shows they make mistakes, but if you believe in yourself you can make something out of it.”

The Raiders made a clear effort to get Meyers his milestone, throwing him the ball early and often. He said it meant a lot to him to have the support of his teammates.

“That’s the biggest part to me,” Meyers said. “It’s a group effort. It’s not me going around asking for the ball. A lot of people wanted me to get it. It’s for all of us and we’re going to celebrate.”

Coach Antonio Pierce said there’s a reason the team was so excited to make good things happen for Meyers.

“It’s just the ultimate compliment for this player because he’s done all the dirty work, the crack blocks, the run blocking, reverses, throw the ball, whatever we asked him to do,” Pierce said. “Now he gets an opportunity to showcase himself as a premiere or a legitimate number one receiver and put himself kind of in that category.

“If you talk about a pro that’s been consistent from the day he walked into this building last year, it’s been Jakobi Meyers. He’s the ultimate team guy.”

O’Connell avoids major injury

Quarterback Aidan O’Connell took some big hits Sunday. He looked to be struggling to get through the game on a sore knee he has been dealing with since the Raiders’ loss to the Buccaneers on Dec. 8.

O’Connell limped back to the huddle after a 9-yard run midway through the third quarter. He then stayed down after taking a sack early in the fourth. He left the game for three plays but returned to finish things out.

“I’m alright,” O’Connell said. “Just a little banged up.”

Supportive friend

Rookie left guard Jackson Powers-Johnson wore a shirt endorsing teammate Brock Bowers for NFL offensive rookie of the year honors after Sunday’s game.

“He should win the award,” Powers-Johnson said. “That’s my opinion. He balls out there every game and gives it 100 percent. He could be discouraged (by our record), but he keeps going out there and putting up the numbers he does. He’s an incredible man. He’s an incredible person and an incredible player. I stand by the shirt.”

Powers-Johnson also spoke with fellow Oregon alum Justin Herbert, the Chargers quarterback, before the game.

“He was there before I got there and I idolized him,” Powers-Johnson said. “I’ve always been an admirer and I think he can go do great things in the playoffs. It’s good to see Ducks flourishing out there in the wild.”

Draft order set

The Raiders got some favors Sunday regarding their position for the NFL draft after the Jets, Panthers and Bears scored victories.

Those three wins, combined with the Raiders’ loss to the Chargers, means Las Vegas (4-13) will pick sixth.

Chicago’s win came on a last-second field goal, and Carolina won in overtime. Both would have picked ahead of the Raiders had they lost Sunday.

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The Raiders pick last among the three 4-13 teams by virtue of their .540 strength of schedule, the best among the group. They would have picked ninth had they beaten the Chargers.

It will be the franchise’s earliest pick since it selected defensive end Clelin Ferrell fourth in 2019. The only other time the Raiders picked sixth was in 1988 when they selected Hall of Fame wide receiver Tim Brown.

The Raiders will pick behind the Titans, Browns, Giants, Patriots and Jaguars.

The NFL draft will take place April 24 to 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

2025 schedule finalized

It came down to one of the last games on the schedule to determine the Raiders’ final opponent for the 2025 season.

The Jets’ victory over the Dolphins clinched a last-place finish in the AFC East for the Patriots, making New England the last of the Raiders’ road opponents for next season.

They will also play the Bears and Browns, last-place finishers in the NFC North and AFC North, as home opponents.

The rest of the schedule was already determined by the regular NFL schedule rotation.

The Raiders have nine home games and eight road games next season, meaning they most likely would lose a home game if they are chosen to play in one of the international games.

Along with AFC West opponents Denver, Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers, the Raiders will host the Jaguars, Titans, Cowboys and Giants.

The Raiders will also travel to play the Texans, Colts, Eagles and Commanders, along with their three division opponents.

Dates and times will be announced in May.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.