Detroit Lions general manager made a somewhat polarizing move in the 2025 NFL Draft. He traded up 32 spots in the third round to get Isaac TeSlaa, a local talent and somewhat unknown playmaker out of Arkansas.
The young wide receiver flashed his athleticism early on and became a preseason darling in Michigan, only to be used sparingly in the regular season. Despite the limited usage, his catch radius, body control, and ball-winning skills were promising.
However, TeSlaa hasn't been able to live up to the hype. Over five games, the Arkansas product continues to struggle almost as badly as he did in his second preseason in the pros, and it looks like that breakout year just won't happen.
The Detroit Lions expected more from Isaac TeSlaa
TeSlaa was a problem-solver for the Lions last season. Even in their disappointing season debut, he made a highlight-worthy acrobatic touchdown catch in the loss to the Packers on his only target of the game.
He finished the season with 16 receptions on 27 targets for 239 yards. That's not much, but 14of his receptions went for either a score (6) or a first down (8). The Lions turned to him in big moments, and he delivered time and time again.
This season, TesLaa hasn't necessarily taken much of a leap. He's got 9 catches on 19 targets for 187 yards and no scores. While his yards per reception and yards per game are up (20.8 and 37.4 in 2026, 14.9 and 14.1 in 2025), he hasn't been as explosive as advertised.
There were high expectations for an athletic freak the Lions traded nearly an entire round up to get. He's shown that he has the ability to be a difference-maker and a perennial mismatch in the end zone, so it's hard to understand what's going on exactly.
Granted, the Lions' stacked receiver corps may not give him as many touches to develop as he'd like. Spending time behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta means he won't draw double-digit targets.
Unfortunately, he's not making the most of his opportunities, either. He entered the season as a hometown kid and fan favorite, and watching him be nearly the same player he was in year one has been somewhat frustrating and disappointing.
It's still early in the season; the Lions' offense is blossoming, and Jared Goff is playing at an elite level, so there should still be plenty of opportunities to get the ship back on track. That said, this is a short-memory league, and one-year wonders fade away as quickly as they turned heads.
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