The Detroit Lions have had a clear agenda in recent years in the NFL Draft, finding excellent athletes to mold into great, productive players. They've done a tremendous job, and it's one of the biggest reasons the Lions are expected to be competitive for years to come.
They found some intriguing options in the NFL Draft itself, though half of the fun is the flurry of undrafted free agents quickly signed once the seventh round ends. As of Sunday morning, the Lions had already signed nine such guys, and it's possible one or more could make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp.
However, there was one clear player that Detroit desperately wanted, and they metaphorically broke the bank to make sure he signed.
Lions sign Za’Darius Smith’s nephew Jackson Meeks as a UDFA!
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) April 26, 2025
• 2021-23: UGA backup WR (Two National Championships)
• 2024: SYR 78 REC - 1021 YDs - 7 TDs
- 2nd in the country with 21 contested catches https://t.co/l4agXbZ4Zq pic.twitter.com/gcjSFnGpAQ
Lions Give WR Jackson Meeks $200,000 Guaranteed Bonus in UDFA Deal
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Lions signed Syracuse standout WR Jackson Meeks to a UDFA deal that includes a $20,000 signing bonus and $200,000 guaranteed. It's easily the most that Detroit has handed out thus far and illustrates just how badly they wanted to ensure that Meeks came to the team.
A physical, six-foot-two and 210 pound wideout, Meeks burst onto the scene in his lone year with the Orange after serving as a backup for three years at Georgia. He caught 78 passes for 1,021 yards (13.4 average) and seven TDs, putting up 110 yards in each of his final three games against tough competition. Perhaps the finest game of his season came in that stretch, hauling in seven balls for 110 yards and two TDs in an upset win over the vaunted Miami Hurricanes.
He'll now compete with guys like Antoine Green and Ronnie Bell, hoping to fight his way onto the final 53-man roster. Undrafted free agents always face an uphill battle, though the Lions' financial commitment to Meeks shows they're serious about giving him an opportunity.
Expect Meeks to be a fun player to watch throughout the season, and don't be surprised if the guy who finished second in the nation in contested catches (21) makes himself a favorite of the coaching staff. As a neat bonus, he's the nephew of Za'Darius Smith, who remains a free agent.
Here's hoping Meeks can turn some heads this summer and become the latest diamond in the rough the Lions find in the draft process.