Jakobi Meyers' college coach explains why WR could keep Patriots' UDFA streak alive

Every year, there’s always one. From Malcolm Butler to David Andrews to Adam Butler to J.C. Jackson, at least one undrafted free agent has made the Patriots’ opening day 53-man roster. Fifteen straight years — the third-longest such streak in the league.

Is Jakobi Meyers going to be this year’s model?

The wide receiver out of North Carolina State showed plenty of positives during the three-day minicamp earlier this spring. A 6-foot-2, 203-pounder who served almost exclusively as a slot receiver with the Wolfpack, he enters a crowded race for a roster spot. But George McDonald — his position coach at N.C. State and co-offensive coordinator for the Wolfpack — believes Meyers is uniquely suited to outlast his competitors and keep the streak alive in 2019.

McDonald points to several reasons who Meyers could make the leap: One, he’s just scratching the surface of his abilities. A former high school quarterback who was recruited to N.C. State as a signal-caller, Meyers made the move to receiver when it became apparent he wasn’t going to be the one under center. He responded by becoming a favorite target of QB Ryan Finley in 2017 (63 catches, 72 yards, five TDs), and managed to build on that last season with 92 passes for 1,047 yards and four touchdowns.

“Last year was his breakout year — his first full year as a starting wide receiver, and he really put it all together,” McDonald told BostonSportsJournal.com.