After aggressively moving up from No. 102 to No. 70 overall in the draft, the Detroit Lions secured wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa—someone GM Brad Holmes admitted was his favorite receiver in the entire class, even if not the “best.”
TeSlaa’s college production at Arkansas wasn’t eye-popping (62 catches over two years), but his rare blend of size (6’4”, 214 lbs), speed (4.43-second 40), and elite athleticism made him a fast riser late in the draft process. According to Holmes, if the Lions hadn’t traded up, they risked missing out on him entirely.
Analysts already see TeSlaa as a frontrunner in Detroit’s WR3 battle. Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports projects TeSlaa to beat out veterans Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond, praising his ability to block, dominate in the red zone, and add yards after the catch—all key for Detroit’s offensive versatility.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described TeSlaa as a “big slot receiver” who can outmuscle smaller defenders. If he sees significant snaps, he’ll be well-positioned to exploit mismatches in the Lions’ offense.
TeSlaa also looks tailor-made for an area where the Lions excelled in 2024: drops—or lack thereof. Detroit led the NFL with just seven drops on 406 catchable passes last season, a feat driven by reliable targets like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams. According to Pro Football Focus, TeSlaa had zero drops on 100 targets during his Arkansas career—a stat that surely contributed to the Lions’ aggressive pursuit.
If his college reliability translates, TeSlaa could help Detroit’s offense remain one of the NFL’s most sure-handed, while adding size and playmaking upside.
Rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa Seen as Perfect Fit for Lions’ Sure-Handed Passing Attack
