Lions special teams coordinator comments prove to be big for an undrafted rookie, but not so good for a day three draft pick
This could change some things
This summer has been such a stark improvement from what we saw last summer with the Detroit Lions and their wide receivers. Last summer, the Lions struggled to find a WR3 until they signed Tim Patrick after cutdowns. This summer, they have a wealth of guys who are showing up. To the point where they can’t keep everyone.
Jackson Meeks is the player who has shown up big in the last few weeks. He’s largely been the highlight of the preseason for the Lions. On Saturday, he put up seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. He’s a playmaker for sure, and while you might not see him a ton in the regular season, he’s shown offensively that he should make this 53-man roster.
The thing that gives people some pause on that idea is seventh-round pick Dominic Lovett. The idea being that Lovett is a special teams maven, and when you’re low on the depth chart, you must play special teams. The assumption has been that Lovett has shown out and Meeks hasn’t in that department. According to Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, the latter isn’t true.
“Looking at these receivers, TeSlaa’s showing some things, Lovett is showing some things on the outside, Meeks has shown some things from the wide receiver position,” Fipp said. “So we’ve got some wide receivers to contribute on special teams, which is beneficial, because the last four years we haven’t gotten a lot out of that group, other than some punt returning.”
So there you go, Meeks is doing things on special teams and on offense. That could be enough to push Lovett out of his place and give Meeks the roster spot. On top of that, Khalil Dorsey, who is one of the best gunners in the league, has returned to practice. With the cornerback depth where it’s at, he’s making this roster for sure. That could be bad for Lovett since this is the area where he shines the most.
Ultimately, with Meeks being the better receiver, Dorsey being the better gunner, and the Lions showing that they’re not there with him yet as a return man, it’s hard to see Meeks not get the spot over Lovett. That doesn’t mean Lovett goes away. The thought has always been that 2026 is his year since Kalif Raymond and Khalil Dorsey are in the final years of their deals, and either leaving would open up a spot for him.
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