The Detroit Lions have done a masterful job in recent years of building through the NFL Draft, and general manager Brad Holmes deserves a ton of credit for crafting a roster that fits the identity head coach Dan Campbell wants to embody.
They faced stiff challenges this offseason after losing both coordinators and some key free agents, so Holmes and Campbell were once again tasked with finding diamonds in the rough back in April.
There's a long way to go, as we haven't even gotten to training camp yet, but one rookie wide receiver already looks like a revelation who could make an immediate impact on the team.
Lions Rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa Proving to Be a Revelation for Detroit
The Lions surprised many in NFL circles by trading up to take Arkansas wideout Isaac TeSlaa in the third round. He's an athletic freak at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with 4.4 40-yard dash speed, projecting as a downfield threat that can help spread the offense out.
Isaac TeSlaa scored a 9.97 RAS, including a 4.43 40, 39.5” vertical, and 4.05 shuttle….
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 5, 2025
But how’s the tape? Well…
➖ good run blocker
➖ 0 career drops
➖ WILD contested catching (54%)
➖ 68% of snaps from the slot
➖ dominant at Hillsdale, 2 years at Arkansas (883yds, 5 TD) pic.twitter.com/KfrV6GQVbT
With Amon-Ra St. Brown handling slot work and Jahmyr Gibbs threatening defenses out of the backfield, having a field-stretcher like TeSlaa can make everyone else's lives easier. He was impressive at OTAs and in mandatory minicamp, showcasing that unique skill set that could quickly make him a coveted target for quarterback Jared Goff.
During his final year as a Razorback, TeSlaa averaged 19.5 yards per catch. He's not a big volume player, but similar to Jameson Williams, TeSlaa can burn you down the field and score a TD on any play. Having two guys who fit that mold should help mitigate the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Goff will have no shortage of options in the passing game.
As is the case with most rookies, it may take time for TeSlaa to get comfortable and learn the offense. St. Brown, Williams, Tim Patrick, and Kalif Raymond project to be ahead on the depth chart, though that could change quickly. At the very least, trading up for TeSlaa looks like a wise move.
The rich got richer in this case, and the Lions certainly hit the mother lode by snagging a player with TeSlaa's immense upside.