The Detroit Lions may have found a diamond in the rough among last season's undrafted free agent class. And so far this offseason, the wide receiver-turned-tight end is shining.
Jackson Meeks, a 2025 preseason standout who played collegiately at Georgia and Syracuse, was recently listed among the top performers of Lions mandatory minicamp by senior Lions.com writer Tim Twentyman.
"He had a nice touchdown catch for the second-team offense in a late 11-on-11 situational drill in Wednesday's practice," Twentyman observed.
Sportswriter Dave Brikett noted for the Detroit Free Press that Meeks has spent time at tight end this offseason after previously taking up the position for the scout team last year. With suspect depth behind starter Sam LaPorta, Meeks might not be a secret much longer.
Jackson Meeks was a minicamp standout after moving to tight end
After only being elevated to the active roster twice as a rookie, Meeks could be a much bigger part of Detroit's plans after adding mass to prepare for his work at tight end.
Per Birkett, Meeks added 20 pounds — "about 10 pounds more than what Campbell asked him to report at this offseason," he wrote — which could help him in the backup tight end position battle as he looks to take snaps from veterans Brock Wright, 27, and Tyler Conklin, a 2026 free-agent signing.
If Meeks continues to build on his positive switch to tight end, his NFL career could mirror his collegiate path.
After playing seldomly at Georgia from his freshman through junior seasons, Meeks exploded as a senior at Syracuse, quickly becoming quarterback Kyle McCord's favorite target to finish 2024 with 78 receptions, 1,021 yards, and seven touchdowns. He followed as one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 preseason, gaining 176 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 11 receptions.
Meeks was a casualty when rosters were cut in late August, but managed to land on the Lions' practice squad after failing to be claimed on waivers. Based on the promising early returns of his shift to tight end, Detroit might not be as fortunate to stash him on the scout team this year.
It may need to find room for Meeks on the 53-man roster to avoid another team benefiting from his development, even if it comes at the expense of another tight end on the roster.
Wright, entering his sixth season, has more upside as a blocker but offers limited production in the pass game with 70 career receptions for 632 yards. Conklin, who turns 31 on Jul. 30, missed mandatory minicamp for an undisclosed reason, raising concerns about his prognosis going forward.
Meeks could be more important to the 2026 squad than many realize. The Lions' best-kept secret might soon get out of the bag.
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