By Sunday 
When Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes made an aggressive trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft, plenty of eyebrows were raised. Jumping 32 spots—from No. 102 to No. 70—to grab a relatively unknown wide receiver named Isaac TeSlaa? It wasn’t just surprising—it was, for some, downright baffling.
But now, Holmes is setting the record straight. And he’s doing it with confidence.
“He Was My Favorite Wide Receiver in the Draft”
During a post-draft interview, Holmes was asked the kind of softball question GMs love: which pick was his favorite? Instead of playing it safe, Holmes went straight to the point that’s had fans and analysts buzzing.
“I do love all of them… I’ll give you this, though: The pick that was probably the most questioned, I would say, was Isaac TeSlaa,” Holmes admitted, before adding with zero hesitation, “I can say that he was my favorite wide receiver in this draft.”
He clarified the distinction further: “I’m not saying he was the best wide receiver in the draft. But favorite wide receiver in the draft? Yes.”
For a GM, those words carry weight. Especially when the pick came at a cost.
The Price Tag That Raised Eyebrows
To snag TeSlaa, Holmes sent the team’s 2025 third-round pick and two third-rounders from 2026 packing. In return, Detroit got the Arkansas receiver and a couple of future sixth-rounders. On paper, it looked like a heavy price to pay for a player who barely registered on many pre-draft radars.
TeSlaa’s college production? Solid, but unspectacular. After transferring from Division II Hillsdale College to Arkansas, he logged 62 catches, 897 yards, and five touchdowns across two seasons with the Razorbacks.
Critics were quick to pounce. Some draft grades labeled the pick a “C+,” questioning if Detroit had overplayed its hand.
But as Holmes has shown time and time again, he’s not too concerned with the public consensus. He’s betting on something more valuable than online approval—his own scouting intuition.
Trusting the Tape (and the Tools)
What TeSlaa lacks in buzz, he makes up for in physical tools. At 6’4” and 214 pounds, he’s a big-bodied target with legitimate speed—clocking in a 4.43 40-yard dash at the Combine. Not to mention, he earned the top athleticism score among wide receivers in the class.
The Lions have long prioritized game tape and fit over hype. In Holmes’ view, TeSlaa checks the boxes that matter.
Detroit’s scouting department saw more than numbers or headlines—they saw potential. And that potential, if it pans out, could turn this controversial trade into a masterstroke.
Holmes Has Earned Some Trust, Right?
Let’s not forget the context. Since Holmes took over in 2021, the Lions have gone from NFL afterthought to a legitimate contender. That first season, Detroit stumbled to a 3-13-1 record. But fast-forward to 2024, and the Lions finished tied for the best record in the league at 15-2.
Sure, the early playoff exit still stings, but the roster Holmes built is one of the deepest and most explosive in football. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen without bold moves—and a few calculated risks.
The Verdict? Still Pending
Was trading three third-rounders for Isaac TeSlaa a reach? Possibly. But if Holmes is right—if TeSlaa really is the diamond he believes him to be—this pick might be one we look back on with admiration, not skepticism.
For now, fans will have to wait and see. But one thing’s clear: Brad Holmes isn’t afraid to bet big on his favorites. And more often than not, he’s got the receipts to prove it.