The process continued after the draft, with the Lions making a significant financial investment to sign a highly regarded undrafted free agent wide out. Wide receiver Jackson Meeks is coming off a great season at Syracuse, when he surpassed 1,000 yards and sparked some significant NFL interest.
Jackson Meeks Has a Shot at Making the Roster
According to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy, the Lions drafted a number of Georgia players before signing an undrafted free agent. Meeks switched to Syracuse for his last season, where he made significant progress.
“Oh, you thought the Lions’ Georgia infatuation was over with their draft picks? Meeks, a former Georgia receiver, transferred before the 2024 season in quest of a better chance,” Pouncy wrote. “He found it at Syracuse, where he reunited with old Georgia assistant Fran Brown. It resulted in his most productive season yet, surpassing 1,000 yards on 71 receptions and seven touchdowns.
Pouncy added that Meeks “isn’t the most impressive athlete” with a 40-yard dash time of 4.64 seconds, but he placed second in all of FBS with 21 contested receptions. Pouncy said that the Lions made a considerable investment to land Meeks.
“The Lions reportedly gave him $200,000 guaranteed, which speaks to how he’s viewed,” Pouncy said. “It doesn’t hurt that he’s Za’Darius Smith’s nephew.”
Lions Give More Help to Jared Goff
The Lions gained more talent in the draft, trading up in the third round to pick Arkansas pass-catcher Isaac TeSlaa and then selecting Georgia receiver Dominic Lovett in the seventh.
Jakobie Keeney-James, a receiver from the University of Massachusetts, was also signed as an undrafted free agent.
Caden Prieskorn, an undrafted free agent from Ole Miss, is also a strong candidate for the final roster. Pouncy reported that Dane Brugler of The Athletic gave Prieskorn a seventh-round draft grade.
“He’s a big-bodied tight end at 6-foot-6, 246 pounds and comes equipped with strong hands and an ability to box out defenders,” Pouncy told reporters. “He does lack athleticism, though, and is an older prospect at 25 (will turn 26 in September), which explains why he went undrafted.”
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