By Sunday 
Detroit Lions Rookie Isaac TeSlaa Called ‘Duplicate’ of All-Pro St. Brown by ESPN Analyst
A Strange Way to Throw Shade
ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz just tossed one of the weirdest backhanded compliments we’ve seen in a while—claiming Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa is “at best a duplicate of Detroit’s best receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown.”
Wait… what?
You’d think being compared to a two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler with nearly 5,000 career receiving yards in just four seasons would be a good thing, right? Apparently not in Schatz’s world, where being the next Amon-Ra somehow qualifies as a downside.
The TeSlaa Criticism Keeps Coming
The Lions surprised some folks by trading away two 2026 third-round picks to land Arkansas standout Isaac TeSlaa in the 2025 NFL Draft. While the move raised a few eyebrows due to TeSlaa’s relatively quiet pre-draft buzz, calling him a non-playmaker seems harsh—especially given Detroit’s recent success with overlooked prospects.
Schatz didn’t hold back, either. “(TeSlaa) scored basically zero in my Playmaker Score article,” he wrote, adding that ESPN’s Scouts Inc. had him pegged as the No. 17 wideout and the No. 157 overall prospect. To some, that sounds like a reach. To others, it sounds like classic Lions draft magic brewing.
Why the St. Brown Comparison Misses the Mark
Let’s be honest—if Isaac TeSlaa turns out even close to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions fans will be celebrating in the streets. St. Brown has become one of the most reliable, driven, and productive receivers in the NFL. He’s the kind of guy who still carries a list of every WR drafted ahead of him in 2021. The chip on his shoulder could probably lift Ford Field.
So if TeSlaa is even “a duplicate” of that kind of player—Detroit should count its blessings.
The Best Kind of Motivation
For TeSlaa, the media heat might be just what he needs. Growing up a Lions fan, playing for Detroit is more than just a job—it’s a dream. And now, with St. Brown in his corner, he has the perfect mentor to help him develop and rise above the noise.
He’ll also be surrounded by gritty vets like Kalif Raymond and Jameson Williams, guys who know what it means to grind every day. If anything, this criticism will only push TeSlaa to fit into Detroit’s offense faster, work harder, and prove the doubters wrong.
Bottom Line: Use the Doubt, Prove Them Wrong
Every rookie needs an edge. For Isaac TeSlaa, it’s clear: the analysts don’t believe in him, and some are even using Amon-Ra St. Brown as a measuring stick to hold against him.
But if he leans into Detroit’s culture, learns from the very guy he’s being compared to, and keeps that Lions grit alive—he might just make everyone eat their words.
And wouldn’t that be the most Detroit thing ever?