By Sunday 
When the Detroit Lions traded a boatload of draft capital to jump 32 spots in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, fans assumed they were going after something electric. Turns out, they were—just not in the way you’d expect.
Shocking Trade Stuns Fans—and Possibly the Front Office
The Lions flipped the 102nd pick and both of their 2026 third-rounders to the Jaguars to move up to No. 70. The suspense built. Was it a top-tier cornerback? A disruptive edge rusher? A quarterback named Caleb with rocket feet?
Nope.
It was wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. Yes, that TeSlaa—the 6’4” Arkansas product with 62 catches and under 900 yards over two seasons.
Naturally, the internet exploded. “They traded how much for a guy with fewer career catches than Marvin Harrison Jr. had this season?” one fan tweeted, presumably mid-choke on a Hot Pocket.
“Did They Think They Drafted a Self-Driving Car?”
Insiders say Detroit may have been spooked by rumors that the Saints (pick 71), Bills (pick 72), and Broncos (pick 74) were circling. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, TeSlaa “had great pre-draft processes” with both New Orleans and Buffalo, and Denver’s own WR needs might’ve made him a target.
But the Rams really brought the chaos. They reportedly tried to throw a second-rounder next year at Jacksonville. So what was happening? Was TeSlaa secretly built in a lab? Does he run on lithium-ion batteries?
“Maybe Brad Holmes just heard the name and thought he was drafting a zero-emissions deep threat,” joked one NFC executive. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone confused a college prospect with a product launch.”
Okay, But Seriously—Why the Hype?
To be fair, TeSlaa did clock a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at 6’4”. That’s not just fast—it’s Elon Musk-launching-a-Roadster-into-space fast. And apparently, he nailed his interviews with scouts. Personality: 100. Acceleration: 100. College production? Let’s call it “in beta.”
Still, the Lions offense was already humming. With Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and a rock-solid O-line, TeSlaa’s path to playing time will be more challenging than explaining Detroit’s draft board to a room full of engineers.
Final Charge
Whether the Lions think Isaac TeSlaa is the next Amon-Ra or simply mistyped “Tesla” on the war room whiteboard, they clearly believe the kid has potential. And hey, if he turns into an All-Pro, no one will remember the price.
Until then, all we can do is wait—and hope the Lions didn’t just use three picks to buy a used Model S.