Earlier this offseason, the Detroit Lions re-signed veteran Tim Patrick to a one-year, $2.5 million deal after an exceptional 2024 season. Patrick missed the previous two years with a torn ACL and a torn Achilles.
The Denver Broncos cut the veteran receiver last August ahead of the 53-man roster deadline, but he was immediately signed to the Lions’ practice squad. Detroit didn’t waste time adding the former Bronco to the active roster, and he flourished playing next to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Patrick had 33 receptions (44 targets) for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. He also had one drop and averaged 4.3 yards after the catch per reception (third-highest in his career).
If you are a Lions fan, you were excited to see that type of production from Patrick, who has been unlucky with injuries. However, it's not guaranteed that he’ll be the WR3 this upcoming season after Detroit took former Arkansas wideout Isaac TeSlaa in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The former Arkansas standout has good speed at 6-foot-4. He ran a 4.43 at the combine, which he uses to get behind the defense. TeSlaa’s size and speed make him a matchup nightmare in the slot for opposing defenders.
Isaac TeSlaa is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.97 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 11 out of 3441 WR from 1987 to 2025.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 2, 2025
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/ZeBq0A5q6I pic.twitter.com/Lsue3G6W2w
At the NFL, there aren’t many, if at all, 6-foot/6-foot-1 corners playing in the slot. NFL teams will not look forward to playing the Lions, especially when you have to also worry about Williams on the outside.
In his two years at Arkansas, TeSlaa had 62 receptions for 896 yards and five touchdowns. Last season, the former D2 star wide receiver racked up 28 receptions for 545 yards and three TDs. TeSlaa also averaged an incredible 19.5 yards per reception, which illustrates how dangerous of a deep threat he is.
Before he got to Arkansas, TeSlaa shined at the D2 level at Harding University, where he played three seasons. The rookie receiver’s run-after-catch skills go under the radar, but that’s another area where he excels. He also blocks well in the run game, which will help him get on the field, especially in Detroit.
Based on those things, plus GM Brad Holmes saying that TeSlaa was his favorite WR in the draft, it doesn’t bode well for Patrick. Patrick has experience over TeSlaa, but it will only go so far, especially when Detroit used the 70th pick on him.