The Detroit Lions signed standout wide receiver Jackson Meeks to their roster just hours after the 2025 NFL Draft concluded!

In a move that could prove to be one of the more underrated signings of the post-draft frenzy, the Detroit Lions announced they’ve signed former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Jackson Meeks just hours after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. Though Meeks went undrafted, Detroit wasted no time bringing the 6-foot-2, 205-pound wideout into their fold, adding another intriguing developmental piece to an already ascending offense led by Jared Goff.

While undrafted free agents (UDFAs) rarely generate headlines, Jackson Meeks is far from an ordinary afterthought. Within minutes of the draft ending, news broke across social media that Meeks had agreed to terms with the Lions. Detroit clearly prioritized Meeks, reportedly offering him one of the higher-value UDFA deals among their post-draft signees.

The Lions’ coaching staff and front office were drawn to Meeks’s combination of physicality, route discipline, and his reputation as a selfless team-first player during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs. In a receiver room that already features Pro Bowl talent Amon-Ra St. Brown, deep threat Jameson Williams, and veteran Josh Reynolds, Meeks gives the Lions a versatile option who can compete on special teams and potentially carve out a bigger role in time.

To understand the intrigue surrounding Jackson Meeks, you have to look past the box scores. Over four seasons at Georgia, Meeks totaled modest receiving numbers—just 18 receptions for 263 yards and a touchdown. But Georgia’s offense, particularly under head coach Kirby Smart, never relied on gaudy receiver stats. Meeks was stuck behind an embarrassment of riches in the Bulldogs’ receiver and tight end rooms, including Ladd McConkey, Brock Bowers, Adonai Mitchell, and others.

Where Meeks separated himself was in the dirty work—run blocking, special teams, and doing the little things that coaches love and fans often miss. He became a fixture in Georgia’s rotation for his willingness to sacrifice personal accolades for the greater good. That culture fit—hard-nosed, smart, and reliable—is precisely what made him so attractive to a franchise like Detroit.

Dan Campbell, the Lions’ head coach, has become synonymous with building a team in his own image: gritty, physical, and relentlessly competitive. It’s no coincidence that Jackson Meeks ended up in Detroit. The Lions have repeatedly favored players who display toughness, mental resilience, and a strong football IQ—traits that Meeks embodies.

“Jackson Meeks is a guy we think fits what we’re building here,” said Lions GM Brad Holmes in a post-draft presser. “He’s dependable, he’s physical, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. That’s the kind of guy who earns his stripes here.”

Meeks’s experience at Georgia, where competition was fierce and playing time had to be earned through consistency and accountability, may give him a leg up as he adjusts to NFL life. Unlike some UDFAs who dominated in smaller programs but lacked top-end competition, Meeks spent his career going against the best defenses in college football every day at practice.

Though Meeks enters as an undrafted free agent, his chances of making the 53-man roster shouldn’t be dismissed. Detroit is expected to bring around 12 receivers to training camp, and while the top three or four spots are locked in, there’s real competition for the WR5 and WR6 slots.

Meeks’s best shot lies in special teams, particularly as a gunner on punts and kickoff coverage—a role he thrived in at Georgia. He also brings value as a perimeter blocker, which could appeal to a Lions team that heavily utilizes play-action and outside zone running.

Should injuries arise or if the Lions decide to prioritize blocking and special teams over flash, Meeks could see himself not just making the team, but contributing on Sundays. His floor is high enough to earn a practice squad role, which still gives him a shot to develop under one of the NFL’s more progressive offensive staffs.

While Meeks wasn’t a stat-sheet star in college, scouts and insiders suggest his upside could be higher than most undrafted players. He posted solid testing numbers during Georgia’s Pro Day, running a 4.51 40-yard dash with a 38-inch vertical leap and crisp positional drills.

More importantly, Meeks is known for his attention to detail. He runs polished routes, maintains excellent body control near the sideline, and rarely drops passes. Former Georgia receivers coach Bryan McClendon once called him “one of the most technically sound receivers I’ve ever coached.”

“Jackson just gets it,” said McClendon. “He’s not the flashiest guy in the room, but he’s dependable, smart, and coachable. You trust him in key situations.”

That reliability could earn him favor with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is known for drawing up creative concepts that reward receivers who can block, run precise routes, and think on their feet.

Following the announcement of Meeks’s signing, several of his former Georgia teammates took to social media to offer their support.

“He’s a dawg in every sense of the word,” tweeted Brock Bowers. “Detroit got a steal. Y’all don’t even know.”

Quarterback Carson Beck added, “Jackson made our team better every single day. Didn’t complain once. Just worked. One of the best dudes I’ve ever shared a locker room with.”

Praise like that speaks volumes about Meeks’s character—and might be the X-factor that gives him staying power in Detroit’s locker room.

This move continues a pattern for the Lions under Holmes and Campbell. Since taking over, the duo has emphasized smart drafting, cultural cohesion, and mining value in unexpected places. From Day 3 picks like Malcolm Rodriguez to UDFA gems like Obinna Eze, Detroit’s brass has a track record of turning overlooked prospects into reliable contributors.

Signing Jackson Meeks fits this mold perfectly. There’s no downside: if he doesn’t pan out, the financial risk is minimal. But if he does stick, the Lions get a high-character, hard-working receiver with the tools to be much more than just a camp body.

Meeks will soon report to Allen Park, Michigan, for rookie minicamp. There, he’ll begin the long, grinding process of earning a roster spot. He’ll need to learn the Lions’ playbook quickly, make an immediate impact on special teams, and out-compete a handful of other undrafted or lower-tier receivers.

It won’t be easy. The NFL is unforgiving to fringe players. But if there’s one thing Meeks has shown throughout his career, it’s that he doesn’t back down from a challenge. At Georgia, he waited behind future NFL stars. In Detroit, he may finally get the opportunity to prove that he belongs among them.

It’s easy to overlook signings like this in the aftermath of the draft. Fans are fixated on first-rounders, big trades, and splashy picks. But teams like the Lions understand that championships aren’t just won on Day 1—they’re won in the margins. In the trenches. On special teams. In fourth quarters. With players like Jackson Meeks.

He may never be a No. 1 wideout. He may never make a Pro Bowl. But he might be the guy who recovers a fumble, throws a key block, or makes a clutch catch when it matters most.