As the Detroit Lions gear up for the 2025 NFL season, optimism floods Allen Park. Big-name free agent additions, well-regarded draft picks, and a promising young roster fuel hope that Detroit can build on last year’s momentum. However, a quieter story from training camp is starting to generate a lot of buzz. This story doesn’t involves involve a high paid free agent or big name draft pick, but instead a rookie undrafted free agent rapidly making his case: Jackson Meeks.
Jackson Meeks, a wide receiver who transferred from Georgia to Syracuse, signed with the Lions after going unselected in the draft. While many rookies struggle to make headlines in their first camp, Meeks has already delivered highlight moments. According to Al Karsten, he pulled off a full-extension, one-handed diving grab on a 20-plus yard fade from quarterback Kyle Allen during 11-on-11 action. Then on the very next rep, Meeks pancaked a defender, Dan Jackson, showcasing he has multiple ways to make a physical statement.
These big plays aren’t isolated incidences either. Meeks has reportedly had multiple good practices at camp. While he has long way to go to make the roster and contribute, the trend this young Lions rookie is on is very noteworthy.
The Lions were obviously an impressive offensive unit last season. But there was a glaring need in their receiving corps and that was winning tough, contested catches. Outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown, who led the group with 21 contested catches, the rest of Detroit’s wide receivers combined for only 10. Here’s where Meeks stands out. Last season at Syracuse, he led all Division I FBS players with 21 contested catches, matching St. Brown’s number.
As the earlier report mentioned, Meeks is already showcasing his contested catch ability. This is obviously a positive development since it showcases that the rookie’s collegiate skills are translating to the NFL.
The Lions wide receiver are asked to do more than just snag tough passes, however. Run blocking is also valued attribute for a Detroit wideout, especially considering the proficiency that the Lions have with running the football. This was another area where the Lions’ returning receiver group was average at best. St. Brown and his peers posted run blocking grades south of 60 according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Meeks, on the other hand, was rated an outstanding run blocker at Syracuse, carrying a grade just under 80. And once again, there has already been an indication (his pancake block) that his skillset will translate to the NFL.
According to Jeremy Reisman, Lions offensive coordinator Tanner Morton plans to leverage more isolated wide receiver matchups for deep shots this year. Isolating receivers forces them to make contested catches. And what does Meeks do well? Make contested catches. Now fit is starting to align with skillset in Detroit.
Meeks didn’t get a lot of media attention as he entered the draft despite putting up solid numbers. As a transfer with just one huge year at Syracuse, Meeks didn’t attract the same attention as early-rounders like Chicago’s Luther Burden or other mid-round picks. But a direct comparison using data from PFF shows Meeks outpacing several drafted receivers. Whether it’s his overall grade, his receiving grade, or his run blocking grade, Meeks stacks up favorably.
Fit is everything in football. Meeks left Georgia to find a better opportunity at Syracuse, and it paid off. Now he’s landed in Detroit with a team that prizes contested catches and expects its receivers to block. The overlap between what Meeks does best and what the Lions need could be the pathway that turns this under-the-radar rookie into one of the preseason’s best stories.
While no one’s proclaiming Meeks a sure-fire starter or instant star, his combination of big-play ability, toughness, and versatility already stands out. Training camp and preseason remain, with competition fierce and roster spots limited. Yet, the evidence is mounting: Meeks’s signature strengths from college, winning contested balls and overpowering defenders as a blocker, are already translating to the NFL field under Detroit’s watchful coaching staff.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
