The Detroit Lions front office has recently splurged some serious big bucks on strengthening their already powerful defensive line. With only four wideouts returning from last year’s active roster, who’s making the most noise is a rookie instead. Joining the team with $200,000 in guaranteed money and a $20,000 signing bonus, he’s carrying the same relentless mentality he showed in college: “I’m gonna do what I have to do to make the team.” And if we are to believe what analysts are saying, despite Detroit already boasting four proven playmakers at receiver, this former Georgia/Syracuse star is predicted to aim for the stars. 

Two months ago, when Jackson Meeks—nephew of former Lions linebacker Za’Darius Smith—joined the team, he did so on a bittersweet, yet hopeful note. Bittersweet because his signing as an undrafted free agent came on the back of an NFL Combine snub, despite proving himself as a playmaker at the collegiate level. Notably, in Week 5 of the 2024 season, after transferring to Syracuse, he caught 10 balls for 161 yards and a score against Holy Cross. That earned him ACC Receiver of the Week. In Week 7, he followed it up with 11 catches for 116 yards and another touchdown versus NC State. He won ACC Receiver of the Week again. The wide receiver also led SU with 1,021 receiving yards in his lone season, becoming the first player since Trishton Jackson in 2019 to cross the 1,000 receiving yards mark in a season.

Without a doubt, numbers like that were supposed to put Meeks firmly on the radar. However, critics, it seems, were more focused on his “lack of top-end speed and explosiveness”. Is the 6’2″, 218-pound star too concerned? Not really, as he had said, “Whether that’s wait for two years behind the vet and learn from the vet as much as I can. I’m gonna do that.” Thankfully, with time, more and more people are starting to believe that. On July 9, during the Saturday Morning Inspection, analysts Andrew Mize and Nick Rudman took a deep dive into the Detroit Lions’ rising stock.

Nick opened strong, saying, “They (Detroit Lions) are one of, if not the top team in the NFC as we get ready for the 2025 season.” His point? Detroit has been stacking up hidden gems like wide receiver Jackson Meeks. “But there’s one guy that was unheard of, at least to me, that when you break down the data and break down his information and situation with Detroit, just looks like a great fit and a massive steal potentially for the Lions. And that’s wide receiver Jackson Meeks.” Rudman then added, “He looks like a real stud, and when you compare his numbers to some quality wide receivers of a similar kind of body type and productivity element from the NFL draft, he looks really good, especially for an undrafted free agent.”

This encouraged the analyst to bring more than hype. He came with a film, data, and a colour-coded chart to compare Meeks with other rookies from the 2025 draft. “We’re looking at passer rating when targeting Meeks versus similar wide receivers, and I kind of define similar wide receivers. I picked Ted McMillan, Jayden Higgins, and Jalen Royals.” On his chart, Meeks’ passer rating when targeted was over 110 and topped them all. That number speaks to reliability. Quarterbacks trusted him, and he produced. 

The receivers Rudman compared in the YouTube video were not just any names. He looked for big-bodied guys over six feet tall. Players who could do it all—block, run routes, catch in traffic. McMillan, Higgins, and Royals were picked from both the top and mid draft rounds. But Meeks beat them in impact per target. Despite being undrafted, Meeks showed more efficiency and playmaking upside.

“So again, we’re talking about a guy that knows how to bail out his quarterback. A guy who doesn’t give up interceptions. That’s kind of a hidden receiver stat. If it’s a poor throw, do you have the ability to break up the pass to make sure it’s not intercepted, right? Do you hold down the tough contested catches…? That really jacks up the quarterback’s passer rating. That’s what Meeks brings to the table,” Rudman further said. But that’s not all.

The analyst also brought out a second chart on ‘Contested Catches’, which showed Meeks leading the way with 19, followed by Tet McMillan with 18, Jayden Higgins with 11, and Jaylen Royals with 8. “Folks, that led FBS. I’m going to say that again. Undrafted free agent Jackson Meeks out of Syracuse—now with the Detroit Lions—led the country in contested catches last season. That’s who the Lions got as an undrafted free agent. The best on a productivity basis. 50/50 ball winner, contested catch winner in all of college football,” he concluded.

But, having said that, while the Lions’ roster builds toward dominance, their coaching staff remains a question. Now it is about who will guide the talents.

Detroit Lions’ shaky coaching carousel

This offseason, the Detroit Lions took a big hit in the coaching room. Both coordinators and three other assistants moved on. The New York Jets hired former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their head coach. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson landed the top job in Chicago. Johnson brought receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett with him. Defensive line coach Terrell Williams also left. The New England Patriots picked him up as their new defensive coordinator. The front office should be sweating their weight in fear.

Critics were quick to question if Detroit could stay in title contention. But head coach Dan Campbell was unfazed. “I’m not worried about we lost two coordinators,” Campbell said. He sees bigger pieces still in place. General manager Brad Holmes agreed. He pointed to a strong roster and trusted leadership. “I think that we just stay the course and keep building like we’ve been. I do think that we’re very close,” Holmes said. 

Aidan Hutchinson also displayed unwavering faith, even though these changes hit close to home. He had played under Glenn and Johnson since entering the NFL in 2022. His reaction showed optimism, especially after his injury recovery. “I tell this to everyone… I don’t care who they bring in to coach us. Obviously, keeping Dan (Campbell) there is what we all want, but coordinators, position coaches, it doesn’t matter.” For Hutchinson, the team’s drive comes from within, not the headset.

Holmes believed last season was close to a breakthrough. That belief has not changed. “Nothing is going to alter what our approach has been in terms of trying to continue to improve and keep building,” he said. His plan? Stick to what works!