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Pride Of Detroit fantasy football takes on Jackson Meeks
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Pride Of Detroit about Jackson Meeks.
27
Insights
17
Positive
4
Negative
Insight ledger
All Pride Of Detroit insights about Jackson Meeks
PositiveRoleAug 22, 2026
Tight end who emerged as the go-to option for both quarterbacks in preseason game against Washington, turning six targets into four catches for 33 yards. With Sam LaPorta's health in question, Meeks was needed to stand out from the tight end group. Also forced a fumble on a kickoff late in the fourth quarter, which bolsters his roster chances for the TE4 special teams role.PositiveUsageAug 22, 2026
Meeks caught multiple passes from backup quarterbacks, including an 11-yard short pass from Luke Altmyer in the second quarter and a 9-yard gain from Joshua Dobbs on third-and-5 in the third quarter; he also forced a fumble on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter.PositiveRoleAug 22, 2026
Looks like the current leader for the Lions TE4 role and will need to stay sharp, especially under the lights in preseason Game 2 vs. Commanders.NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026
Meeks dropped 3 votes to 2 total for the TE4 spot after a quiet week; the source notes staffers are becoming less convinced Detroit will keep a fourth tight end, and the source personally chose to keep an extra corner over Meeks, though acknowledging it was not an easy decision. Meeks could clear waivers and return to the practice squad.NegativeDepth ChartAug 17, 2026
The source projects Meeks as OUT of the 53-man roster. Meeks is the frontrunner for a fourth tight end spot and saw action early in the preseason game, showing the coaching staff likes him ahead of his competition. However, the source allocated that roster spot elsewhere. The source notes Meeks is the top OUT candidate and desperately wanted to find space for him but couldn't pull the trigger. By next week, the source might give his roster spot to Meeks if Rakestraw falters.PositiveInjuryAug 16, 2026
Tight end returned to practice after an unexplained absence on Saturday and did not appear to have any limitations, suggesting he is ready for full participation.NegativeInjuryAug 15, 2026
Tight end did not practice; no information has been disclosed regarding why he missed practice.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Wide receiver convert got the start at tight end and produced a 17-yard reception with 16 yards after the catch, demonstrating strong performance. Meeks was believed to be in competition with Thomas Gordon for a TE4 role, but clearly was favored by the coaching staff in this game and looks to be ahead in the competition.PositiveDepth ChartAug 14, 2026
Got the earliest play of the reserves, suggesting he's higher on the depth chart than Tyler Gordon and Zach Horton, who played deep into the game.PositiveDepth ChartAug 14, 2026
Meeks played 24 snaps (36%) plus 9 special teams snaps (36%) in the preseason opener, getting the earliest play of the reserves among the tight ends. The source notes this suggests he's higher on the depth chart than Tyler Gordon and Zach Horton, who played deeper into the game.PositiveRoleAug 13, 2026
Meeks converted from WR-X to tight end mid-last season and has risen up the depth chart this offseason, partially due to injuries in the tight end room; though undersized for the position, he brings unique receiving ability and has been competing for a TE4 role all camp. With rookie Miles Kitselman now on injured reserve, Meeks' path to the roster is easier; a strong preseason performance will give him a chance to hold off Thomas Gordon and prove coaches should keep a fourth tight end on the 53-man roster.PositiveRoleAug 13, 2026
Converted from wide receiver to tight end; Campbell praised his 'speed and the ability to separate, catch the football' and said 'that's where we needed to see the most.' Campbell noted Meeks is 'strong, he's tough, he's willing' and has 'done some good things on special teams,' concluding 'we like Meeks. He's got an opportunity.'PositiveRoleAug 11, 2026
Jackson Meeks is a tight end prospect the source is looking forward to seeing in the preseason opener; the focus is on whether he will display his growth at the tight end position.NegativeRoleAug 10, 2026
Tight end Jackson Meeks was targeted on a pass play that UDFA linebacker Erick Hunter blew up with a big collision that jarred the ball loose on Day 10.PositiveDepth ChartAug 10, 2026
Jackson Meeks received 5 votes (up 5) in the tight end bubble watch and is starting to get warranted consideration for Detroit keeping a fourth tight end. The source notes that despite an up-and-down camp, Meeks has shown growth, and the Lions may still be considering playing a high amount of 13 personnel, which would almost certainly require a fourth rostered tight end.NegativeRoleAug 9, 2026
Got a chance in the TE3 spot on Sunday with Tyler Conklin limited to non-team drills.NegativeRoleAug 7, 2026
Jackson Meeks was tackled well short of the line to gain by Rock Ya-Sin on third down in Drive 2, and was missed by Luke Altmyer on a pass in Drive 7.PositiveRoleAug 6, 2026
The source notes this was Meeks' best day of camp. He sealed a few rushing lanes and had a red-zone catch highlight where he delivered a vicious stiff-arm to Khalil Dorsey to turn a 5-yard curl into a 15-yard gain.PositiveUsageAug 6, 2026
Meeks got most of the TE3-4 reps on Day 7 of training camp after Conklin came off the PUP list but was not yet cleared for team drills.PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026
Meeks made two big 16-yard catches during situationals to help the second team set up the game-winner to end practice on Day 6 of training camp.NegativeRoleAug 3, 2026
With Kitselman and Firkser both injured, Meeks is positioned to potentially receive early reps at tight end and could rise in the depth chart if he capitalizes on the opportunity created by injuries to competing options.PositiveRoleJul 30, 2026
Jackson Meeks may have officially switched to tight end, but he still showed he can move like a wide receiver on routes; during 7-on-7s, he set up in the slot, drifted outside, hit a classic wheel route that left Erick Hunter in his wake, and was wide open running down the sideline, though Luke Altmyer missed the would-be touchdown.PositiveBreakoutJul 30, 2026
The Lions player received positive training camp coverage, with 1951LION reporting encouraging news about Meeks as a prospect the organization is 'super hopeful about' heading into the 2026 season.PositiveRoleJul 29, 2026
Transitioned from UDFA WR-X last year to tight end role; got TE3 reps during opening practice ahead of depth players. Meeks told Pride of Detroit: 'I feel like Coach Dan (Campbell) is trying to give me the best opportunity to compete and make (the roster). What I'm just trying to show in camp is that I am supposed to be out there in this role.' He emphasized that blocking is '90% mindset and 10% technique' and comes from a family of defensive linemen (uncle is former Lion Za'Darius Smith), making him comfortable in the trenches. He noted that with Gibbs back there, 'if I can go in (the trenches) and fight my butt off for three seconds, that's all I need.'NegativeDepth ChartJul 27, 2026
Meeks is competing for a roster spot beyond the top five receivers. The source is open to the possibility that Meeks could convince them to keep a sixth receiver, but for now has him off the projected 53-man roster.NegativeDepth ChartJul 27, 2026
Jackson Meeks received zero votes from Pride of Detroit staff to make the Lions' 53-man roster. Sione Vaki notes this was mildly surprising, but attributes it to Meeks still being a project player as he works at both tight end and wide receiver positions.NegativeDepth ChartJul 22, 2026
Jackson Meeks was considered for the 53-man roster, especially given the light tight end allocation, but he is still a work in progress at both wide receiver and tight end positions, making him a borderline prospect.