The Detroit Lions’ 2025 NFL Draft had its share of twists, but none more dramatic than the moment they jumped up the board to grab Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. What looked like a bold but clean trade was actually nearly a total collapse behind the scenes.
Speaking on 97.1 The Ticket, GM Brad Holmes revealed that he attempted 30 trades over draft weekend. Only two went through—and one of them almost didn’t happen at all. That was the move to go from pick No. 102 to No. 70, sending two 2026 third-rounders to Jacksonville to get TeSlaa, Holmes’ favorite receiver in the class.
Holmes didn’t claim TeSlaa was the best wideout in the draft—but he was the favorite in the Lions’ building. And Holmes didn’t care that it was one of the most questioned picks they made. The front office trusted their board and went all-in for their guy.
But things got dicey. Jacksonville was also getting offers, including a strong one from the Rams involving a 2026 second-rounder. That deal fell apart when Kansas City snatched Louisville pass rusher Ashton Gillotte at No. 66—someone both the Rams and Jags were targeting.
The Lions’ offer was still on the table, but time was running out. A miscommunication with the league office delayed official confirmation. With the clock ticking under two minutes, Holmes himself had to call Jacksonville GM James Gladstone to lock it in. The deal cleared just in time, and TeSlaa was officially a Lion—by the skin of their teeth.
It was high-stakes drama for a player they clearly believe in. Whether it pays off remains to be seen, but the Lions weren’t afraid to take a swing when it mattered most.
Lions Nearly Missed Out on Drafting Isaac TeSlaa in Last-Second Trade
