By Moses Joshua 
Isaac TeSlaa’s rise from draft-day eyebrow-raiser to breakout candidate is gaining momentum in Detroit
An Unexpected Pick with Tremendous Upside
When the Detroit Lions traded up 32 spots in the 2024 NFL Draft to select wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, few saw it coming—and even fewer agreed with the move. Critics immediately questioned general manager Brad Holmes’ aggressive play, labeling the pick a reach, if not a gamble. After all, most pre-draft projections had TeSlaa pegged as a Day 3 selection. But Holmes didn’t just defend the decision—he doubled down on it.
“The pick that was probably the most questioned, I would say, was Isaac TeSlaa,” Holmes admitted. “I can say that he was my favorite wide receiver in this draft. I’m not saying he was the best wide receiver in the draft. But favorite wide receiver in the draft? Yes.”
Now, after a strong showing at OTAs, that faith may be starting to pay off.
From D-II Standout to NFL Contender
TeSlaa’s path to the pros wasn’t typical. Before transferring to Arkansas, the 6-foot-4 receiver dominated at Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan, where he caught 68 passes for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns—earning conference Offensive Player of the Year honors.
His time at Arkansas was more muted, partially due to joining an already stacked receiving corps and transitioning to a more limited slot role. Even so, he managed 896 yards and five touchdowns over two seasons—modest numbers that didn’t scream “Day 2 pick.”
But Holmes saw something more. TeSlaa’s elite Combine performance—including a top-ranked Athleticism Score—combined with his massive 10-inch hands, 214-pound frame, and high football IQ made him a high-upside target. He impressed the front office even further by showing up to his pre-draft Top 30 visit in a custom Lions jersey—an unconventional but telling move that spoke volumes about his confidence and personality.
Early Signs of Something Special
Once TeSlaa hit the field at Lions minicamp, he wasted no time turning heads. Reports from camp noted his consistency, contested-catch ability, and surprising burst in routes. Offensive coordinator John Morton praised his work ethic:
“I thought he did a really good job for what we were doing,” Morton said. “It wasn’t a lot, but he tried. He’s taking from what he learned in the meeting room out, and (he) went on the field and he was doing it.”
Already, TeSlaa is emerging as a serious contender for the team’s WR3 role, ahead of established names like Tim Patrick and Khalif Raymond.
How He Fits Into Detroit’s Loaded Offense
Detroit enters the 2025 season with one of the NFL’s most complete offensive rosters. Jared Goff remains firmly in control under center, and the backfield tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs offers elite flexibility. Pass-catchers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta are all established threats, giving Goff a full deck to work with.
That makes TeSlaa’s rise even more impressive.
He won’t be expected to siphon targets from the Lions’ established stars, but his frame and athleticism provide a valuable vertical and red-zone complement. Especially in packages where the Lions want to stretch defenses or go big in three-wide sets, TeSlaa could be the go-to guy.
His main competition for that role, Tim Patrick, is no slouch either. At 6’5” and 210 lbs, Patrick has proven production both in college and the NFL. But as Detroit sports radio host Mike Valenti suggested, TeSlaa might offer just a little more.
“I really think that when camp is done, the Lions will feel they can get more out of TeSlaa at that X-receiver spot than they can with Patrick,” Valenti said. “That doesn’t mean Patrick is not going to get targets; he will. I just think the rookie brings more speed and more opportunities.”
The Verdict: More Than Just a Gamble
While the selection of Isaac TeSlaa initially drew raised eyebrows, it’s beginning to look less like a reach and more like a revelation. With a combination of physical gifts, relentless work ethic, and a front office that believes in his ceiling, TeSlaa could very well become the surprise rookie contributor of 2025.
Sometimes, it’s not about picking the most polished product—it’s about betting on a player who hasn’t hit their ceiling yet. And Brad Holmes may have just found another hidden gem ready to shine in the Motor City.