DETROIT -- When the Detroit Lions first signed Jackson Meeks, there was a moderate amount of buzz because his uncle is Za’Darius Smith, a fan favorite many would like to see back in Honolulu blue and silver.
But the undrafted rookie out of Syracuse is beginning to make a name for himself with consistent, above-average play in training camp and another solid showing in preseason action.
For the second straight week, Meeks not only found the end zone but also led the team in receiving yards, hauling in seven passes for 93 yards and one touchdown in the Lions’ 24-17 preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins.
“He’s a very confident player and a very talented player,” Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker told MLive. “Me and him spend a lot of time off the field, so our connection is just naturally there. The same with the majority of the young receiver corps. We spend so much time off the field together, in the film room, or talking ball somewhere that it just naturally clicks when we hit the game.”
Although the Lions’ final drive ended with Hooker throwing a game-sealing interception to Dolphins defender Ethan Robinson, he and Meeks found a rhythm on the possession. Hooker connected with Meeks multiple times, including an 8-yard gain and another first-down grab to push Detroit inside Miami territory.
“He’s a big target,” Hooker told reporters. “He’s almost like a tight end at receiver, and he’s very smart, very competitive. He comes in every day with that attitude to want to get better and want to compete.”
Hooker wasn’t alone in his praise. Veteran backup Kyle Allen spoke highly of Meeks and fellow rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa. In last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Meeks hauled in a 68-yard pass from Allen that helped set up an 11-yard touchdown strike to TeSlaa for the team’s first score.
After hearing both quarterbacks commend his preseason play, Meeks said he felt blessed by their confidence in him.
“Both are great quarterbacks. Both have different things that they do very well, and the easier I can make it on them, the easier they’ll make it on me,” Meeks said. “So going out there and playing complementary -- that’s the best thing about it.”
Early in training camp, Meeks told MLive he knew he faced an uphill battle to make the Lions’ 53-man roster. Still, given his play over the past few weeks, he believes he is simply showing who he’s always been.
“I feel like Jackson, I’ve always been me. Of course, the level of football changes, but at the end of the day, football is football,” Meeks said. “So being able to go out there and just, like I said, just show that I’m a football player. All the X’s and O’s, running, how fast, how high -- can I play football? So just being able to go out there and show that has been a big blessing.”
Time will tell what the future holds for Meeks in Detroit. But another strong week in camp and a solid showing against the Houston Texans could see the former Syracuse standout find his way onto the Lions’ roster.
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