Jakobi Meyers was New England’s leading receiver last year with 83 catches for 866 yards. He is continuing to build on that connection forged with quarterback Mac Jones. Winslow Townson/Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Jakobi Meyers said Thursday everyone in the wide receivers room has a specific job and role to play in the Patriots’ “new” offense.

Meyers’ job?

That’s not hard to figure out. Even with DeVante Parker added to the mix this year, Nelson Agholor looking much improved and Kendrick Bourne also factoring prominently into the equation, Meyers remains at the head of the class.

That’s because he continues to be Mac Jones’ go-to-guy in a pinch.

He was the team’s leading receiver last year with 83 catches for 866 yards, and the chemistry has only improved between he and Jones, who have become close friends off the field.

Listening to Meyers discuss the relationship, he’s gotten to the point where their communication is largely silent. He knows what Jones wants him to do, where he needs him to be on every play.

“I just understand what he wants. Sometimes, he doesn’t have to go out there and tell me exactly what he’s thinking,” Meyers said. “I just feel like from playing the game, and watching him play, and paying attention to how he plays, I kind of understand where he wants me to be. And I just get there.

“If we need to talk about it, we’ll talk about it. But for the most part, I think I understand where he’s coming from.”

Every quarterback needs that one receiver to rely on in a pinch, to move the sticks on third down. Meyers, the longest tenured receiver in the group, has become that guy for Jones.

It started last year, but was even more evident through training camp and joint practices. He tended to be the chain mover for Jones.

“It takes a lot of trust to get there. And the fact he looks for me in certain situations, I guess I must be doing some things right,” said Meyers. “But that can change really quickly. That’s the NFL. Things change fast. So, it’s something I gotta go out there and keep proving over and over again. It really don’t matter what I did last year. I gotta go out there and win again on third down this year.”

Meyers acknowledges it helps that he was a quarterback before making the switch to receiver. It also helps that he and Jones get along so well. Their bond extends beyond the field and has strengthened over time.

“It’s pretty easy to build a connection with Mac. He’s one of those guys that’s just a great guy,” said Meyers. If you were to meet him outside, you wouldn’t think he was a first-round pick who won this, won that, accomplished this, accomplished that. You would think he was a normal young man who loves life the most he can.

“It’s easy to be around him. That’s me, and all the other guys. We enjoy being around him. We enjoy competing with him, for him … I appreciate him for what he’s brought in the little time we’ve known each other.”

Meyers said the dynamic was different at this point last year. Cam Newton was in the quarterback picture before Jones officially won the job right around cutdown day.
There’s no question now who’s leading the offense.

“We know he’s the guy now. It’s a new offense,” said Meyers. “But at the end of the day, we all know we’re trying to make sure we get on his page.

“He’s definitely taking authority. His leadership has been crazy this year. He’s always in the building. He knows what he wants. It’s been helpful for us. We’re just trying to make sure we’re there for him.”

Meyers has been there. He continues to be Jones’ most reliable and dependable target heading into Year 2. Their chemistry is evident.

While admitting it took awhile to get all the different verbiage and chances with the new offense, Meyers says he’s in a much better place now.

“I’ve been in it, I’ve made my mistakes, I feel like I’ve learned from them, and now, I feel like I’m on the right page,” he said. “I understand what coaches are thinking, I understand what Mac is thinking … I know who the guy is, and I know where he wants me to be.”