Over the last several weeks, Detroit Lions fans have had a chance to get introduced to the team’s 2025 draft class. There’s a lot of excitement about this year’s class as the Lions got rookies who could make an immediate impact this season.
One of those rookies already standing out is wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who was taken in the third round. TeSlaa doesn’t have crazy speed (4.43 40-yard dash), but at his size (6-foot-4, 214 pounds), he’s an appealing option for the Lions inside at the WR3 spot.
TeSlaa showed at Arkansas that he can get behind the defense, which is evident by his 19.5 yards per catch last season. However, while Lions fans have already fallen in love with the former Arkansas standout, Detroit drafted another wide receiver in the seventh round, who could also find his way onto the field.
Dominic Lovett is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound wideout who can play in the slot and ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Despite not having explosive speed for his size, the former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver is a good route runner and knows how to get open in zone coverage. Last season at Georgia, Lovett had 59 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns.
The rookie wideout spent the last two years at Georgia after starting his collegiate career at the University of Missouri (two years). With Lovett being a seventh-round pick, he has a harder path towards making the 53-man roster than TeSlaa.
One way Lovett can help himself is by playing special teams. Luckily for the Lions, the rookie did that in college. The rookie wide receiver told Lions Tim Twentyman of Lions.com last month that he enjoys playing special teams.
"I didn't play special teams until I got to Georgia, and that's where I found my value and my love (for it). I feel like special teams is another way to be on the field and another way to compete. I feel like it's a one-on-one battle from the man across from you. It's just you vs. him. I told them I'm willing to do whatever to get on the field."Dominic Lovett
Lovett doesn’t have much experience on kick/punt return duty, which could be another way for the Lions to utilize his speed.
However, if you are a Lions fan or head coach Dan Campbell, you like to hear a player, let alone a rookie, find joy in playing special teams. Therefore, while TeSlaa steals the headlines, Detroit fans should watch out for Lovett. He could create some buzz at the bottom of the WR depth chart this summer.