The Detroit Lions were the NFL’s best at catching passes in 2024, leading the league with the lowest drop rate—just 1.7 percent—thanks to a receiving corps that consistently hauled in throws from quarterback Jared Goff. Goff himself completed 72.4% of his passes, the second-best mark in the league.
According to the team, Lions receivers dropped just seven of 406 catchable passes last season, the fewest in the NFL. By comparison, the New York Giants led the league in drops with 29, and the Packers posted a league-worst 7.5% drop rate.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Lions could remain among the NFL’s most sure-handed teams after drafting wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the third round. The 6-foot-4 target from Hudsonville gives Goff another big-bodied option alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
TeSlaa is known for his reliable hands: across two seasons at Arkansas, he didn’t drop a single pass on 100 targets, finishing with 62 receptions for 896 yards and five touchdowns.
Draft experts praise TeSlaa’s size, catch radius, and ability to win contested catches against smaller defenders. Lance Zierlein described TeSlaa as a “big slot receiver” who excels at matching up with undersized cornerbacks and showcases dependable hands, even when tightly covered. While he’s not the quickest off the line to create separation, his ball skills and ability to stretch the field from the slot give him value as a potential contributor.
With TeSlaa’s addition, Detroit is set up well to maintain its reputation as the NFL’s most reliable receiving group in 2025.
Sure-Handed Isaac TeSlaa Could Help Lions Repeat as League’s Most Reliable Receiving Corps
