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Lions may have a wide receiver problem after latest preseason game
Detroit Lions v Atlanta Falcons - NFL Preseason 2025 Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages

Lions may have a wide receiver problem after latest preseason game

Originally posted on Side Lion Report
By Candace Pedraza  |  Last updated Aug 18, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The Detroit Lions have the luxury of having not one, but two wide receivers who could go for 1,000+ receiving yards this season. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are truthfully the least of their worries as an offense.

However, the team just keeps finding itself in a bind when it comes to their backup competition. Their QB2 situation is currently snagging headlines, but they've also got a WR3 competition brewing in preseason and training camp. And, that competition is resting on the shoulders of two rookies.

Isaac TeSlaa, who the team took a big swing on in this year's draft by trading up to get him in the 3rd round, has proved to be a physical receiver who loves to block and can make difficult catches in red zone situations. You can't really ask for more out of a neophyte for Detroit. Jackson Meeks, though, has also snuck into the conversation as one of the Lions' best rookies this preseason - and his numbers reflect that.

Meeks adding more competition for WR3

Meeks finished up the Lions' last preseason game against the Miami Dolphins with a team-high 93 receiving yards on eight targets. He had one touchdown on the day, as well. Overall in the preseason and according to Pride of Detroit's Al Karsten, Meeks has been a force.

This is going to make life a bit difficult for fellow rookie receiver Dominic Lovett this week and in the Lions' last preseason game against the Houston Texans. Lovett hasn't been as flashy as Meeks in preseason, and he's also been getting more reps on special teams than at wide receiver. He's been perfectly servicable in that unit, though.

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Meeks also puts some pressure on veteran receiver Tim Patrick. Patrick had a slow start in training camp, which only amplified how well TeSlaa had been doing there and in his first preseason game. Two rookies now appear to be vying for Patrick's slot at WR3, as the veteran can only continue to grind in camp and in Detroit's final preseason bout coming up.

Patrick finished up last season with 394 receiving yards on 33 receptions, and wracked up three scores despite that low usage. He can still clearly be the Lions' "guy" at WR3, but TeSlaa and Meeks are creeping into the conversation as legitimate options in red zone situations and as blockers for Detroit's other elite playmakers.

We're still a ways away from Detroit finalizing their 53-man roster, but it does feel like Meeks and TeSlaa will be squeezing out spots on the roster once that time comes thanks to just how much they've stuck out for the right reasons.

More Lions news and analysis


This article first appeared on Side Lion Report and was syndicated with permission.

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