Physicality, dirty work and a defensive mindset: What led UDFA WR Jackson Meeks to Detroit
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions have had at least one undrafted rookie make the team's initial 53-man roster each year dating back to 2010, including three last season. So, who among the 10 UDFAs the team signed last week is capable of keeping that 15-year streak alive?
Well, if guaranteed money is a viable indicator, wide receiver Jackson Meeks has an initial leg up in that race, one he didn't cede during last weekend's rookie minicamp.
Meeks checks boxes, both on the surface and under the hood. At 6-foot-2, 213 pounds, he has NFL-ready size. And although he's not a burner, he offers an above-average athletic profile, highlighted by an impressive short-area burst.
More importantly, Meeks understands how to put his frame to good use. He paced college football with 21 contested catches last season. And what was likely music to the Lions' ears when they offered him $200,000 in guarantees to sign after the draft, he's a stellar blocker on the perimeter.