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A clever Detroit Lions experiment is helping one player on the roster bubble significantly improve his chances of making the team. Last season, Jackson Meeks was a UDFA hopeful in Detroit’s overcrowded wide receiver room. However, this season coaching staff began to experiment with Meeks, deciding the tight end position could be his best path to the roster. After a standout performance in Saturday’s 17-13 victory over the Washington Commanders, it’s clear that the position change has put him on the path to the 53-man roster. Clever Detroit Lions Experiment Helped 1 Player On The Roster Bubble Lions’ OC Drew Petzing has a history of utilizing multiple tight end packages and maximizing the production at that position. During his time in Arizona, he turned Cardinals TE Trey McBride into one of the league’s most successful, with his production soaring to well over 1,000 receiving yards the past two seasons. After spending last year on the Lions’ practice squad as a wide receiver, Meeks added 20 lbs. of muscle during the offseason. Now, at 6’2”, 235 lbs., he’s turning heads at training camp and on the field in the tight end position. With a skill set that lends itself to being a significant contributor to Petzing’s offense as part of a 12 or 13 personnel package, or hybrid X-receiver, Meeks has his best chance yet of making the roster. Meeks, A Collegiate Standout The former Syracuse product and two-time ACC Receiver of the Week ranked as the seventh most productive receiver in school history despite playing there for only one season. Transferring from Georgia for his final year of eligibility, Meeks ranked second in the ACC in 2025 with 78 catches for 1,021 yards and seven touchdowns. An incredibly gifted athlete, Meeks put on a show at the Syracuse Pro Day as one of the day’s top performers. He posted a 34.5-inch vertical, the highest jump of the day, and led all broad jump participants with a 10-foot standing broad jump. His team also tied for the lead in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.79 seconds. The TE Experiment Is Paying Off So far, the experiment seems to be working out quite well. Last week, Meeks scored a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. On Saturday night, he led the team in receptions and receiving yards. Playing 28 snaps (42%) on offense, Meeks caught four of six targets and finished with 33 receiving yards. On special teams, he played 10 snaps and delivered a punishing blow on a kickoff return that forced a fumble late in the game. One of the characteristics the Lions look for is good run blockers. Meeks knows how to maneuver in traffic to attack defenders in space. Taking advantage of his stellar athleticism, he isn’t afraid to initiate contact and play a physical game. Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, PFF.com gave him an impressive run-blocker grade of 75.5. Transitioning to Lions Tight End Noting his skill at blocking in the run game, Dan Campbell described how the coaches see him in the role. “He brings a different flavor to the tight end room. He’s a big, call it big skill. He’s a big skill player… some of those things that were out there at receiver, the X receiver, but all of a sudden you move him back inside and now, man, the athleticism goes way up, right? And the speed and the ability to separate, catch the football, it really has shown moving him to the tight end position.” Campbell brushed aside the criticism that even with the 20 lb. weight gain, he’s too small to play tight end. Referring to Meeks as “strong, tough, and willing,” he stated confidently, “As long as you have that, I don’t care if you’re 220, you’ll be just fine. We can use you in a role. It’s the pass game, man. Can you help? Can you separate? Can you do – and that’s what we’re starting to see now.” Meeks, Solid Throughout the Preseason Saturday’s game wasn’t a fluke. Meeks has been one of the training camp standouts all along. Even for someone learning a new position, he has been a quick study. After the game against the Washington Commanders, Campbell praised Meeks after the game, but preached patience as he continues to learn the nuances of the new tight end position. According to Pride of Detroit, Campbell noted how he attacks special teams. Describing how he gives our guys on the punt team fits in practice, Campbell praised him as a “smart player… who did some really good things today… and made some critical plays.” John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated noted that Jackson Meeks continues to improve throughout camp, stating that while he wasn’t included in previous 53-man projections, it’s “hard to ignore Meeks’ potential after a solid week of training camp and a standout performance at Ford Field.” Meeks, At Home In the Tight End Role Meeks seems to be loving the challenge of learning his new position. He feels a comfort level and is adjusting, saying it already feels like a comfortable fit for him. “It does feel like home. I’m loving tight end. I think I am loving the challenge more than—I love football—but I am loving the challenge because I am learning a whole new part of football.” Petzing knows how to get the best out of his tight ends. With Sam LaPorta’s recent injury and immediate availability in doubt for Detroit, Meeks’ strong showing as a tight end couldn’t come at a better time. It will also be nice seeing Za’Darius Smith back at Ford Field, cheering on his nephew. More NFL News Do the Bears Have the Blueprint for Caleb Williams to Capture the NFL MVP Award?