The Detroit Lions took a gamble on former Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa when he was selected 70th overall in the 2025 NFL draft. Although the 6-foot-4, 214-pound playmaker clearly oozed potential, shipping three third-round picks to move up 32 spots to draft TeSlaa was a risk taken by general manager Brad Holmes that wasn't guaranteed to pay off.
Although TeSlaa's usage was spotty to begin his first NFL season, the first-year wideout has stepped up as the campaign has progressed. That trend continued into Week 17's loss against the Minnesota Vikings, where the Hudsonville, MI native recorded 49 receiving yards and another touchdown on three catches, further cementing himself as a viable WR3 option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
In other words, what was once seen as a gamble is officially becoming one of the Lions' best decisions of last offseason. That's something that Lions fans desperately need amid a season where the bad has often outweighed the good.
Isaac TeSlaa Is Finally Living Up to Rookie Season Expectations
TeSlaa's reliable hands and impressive vertical were on display again in Week 17. After barely failing to come down with an end-zone grab (h/t @Alex_Kozora) in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the rookie Lion righted that wrong by hauling in a fourth-down touchdown in the middle of traffic before halftime on Christmas Day, giving him his sixth score of the year.
Playing behind St. Brown and Williams obviously limits his opportunities, but TeSlaa has clearly carved out a role as Detroit's top red-zone threat. He now has four TDs in his last five games dating back to Week 13, with each of those scores coming from within 20 yards of the end zone. Throw in the fact hat 40.0%% of his catches this season have been for touchdowns (6-of-15), and it's hard to ignore how clutch TeSlaa has been.
There's no telling how TeSlaa's career will develop, but the Lions have to be liking what they've seen so far. Again, trading a trio of third-rounders to the Jacksonville Jaguars was a steep price to pay in April, but if TeSlaa can keep being one of quarterback Jared Goff's most reliable red-zone options, GM Holmes & Co. won't have any reason to regret that trade, regardless of who any of the moved picks become.
Even though the Lions are eliminated from playoff contention, there's no reason to believe that TeSlaa won't be given more chances to end his rookie year on a high note. Detroit is taking on the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears in Week 18, and another needle-moving effort from TeSlaa could help send the rival squad into the postseason on a low note, potentially sowing doubt into the latter's mind.
At the end of the day, TeSlaa has done everything he can to give the Lions faithful something to cheer about this season. Even if his latest score didn't help produce a victory, Detroit fans have every reason to be excited to see where the future will take him next.