The Detroit Lions showcased several standout performances during the preseason, but no position generated more excitement than wide receiver.
Normally, one player tends to separate himself from the rest, yet this year Detroit had multiple breakout names. Isaac TeSlaa drew plenty of attention, but Jackson Meeks may have been even more reliable.
Meeks tallied 176 receiving yards on 11 catches with two touchdowns, numbers that made it difficult for Detroit to consider leaving him out. His strong showing wasn’t just about stats either—advanced grading systems rated him highly throughout camp.
Pro Football Focus ranked him among the best rookie wideouts this preseason. Analyst Bradley Locker placed Meeks on his 2025 Preseason All-Rookie Team, pointing to his production after the catch and his overall impact on the field.
Across 108 snaps—the fifth-most among first-year receivers—Meeks earned an 85.8 overall PFF grade with an 82.0 receiving score. The former Syracuse standout caught 11 of his 12 targets, averaging 16 yards per reception and 2.79 yards per route run.
Meeks Could Be Detroit’s Next Hidden Gem
Detroit’s receiver philosophy has long been based on the mantra: “no block, no rock.” Meeks has embraced that approach, and although he begins the year on the practice squad, his performance suggests he won’t stay there forever. If injuries strike or depth becomes an issue, the Lions have a proven option waiting in the wings.
Storing away one of the preseason’s most productive offensive playmakers gives Detroit a quiet advantage.
Meeks himself knows the journey won’t be easy. He’s faced the underdog role before and seems motivated by it.
“At Georgia, I was the underdog. In high school, I was the underdog. I’ve always had to fight uphill battles,” Meeks explained.
“I didn’t expect anything different in the NFL. I only had one season of film at receiver in college, so I wasn’t going to be high on draft boards. But at the end of the day, it’s simple—we put pads on, helmets on, and it’s about who’s better on the field.”
After a preseason filled with highlight moments and strong evaluations, Meeks has already proven he belongs. For now, his focus shifts to helping Detroit prepare during the week. If he keeps building momentum, it may only be a matter of time before he carves out a role on Sundays.
