The Detroit Lions feel like they are Super Bowl contenders and are using the 2025 NFL Draft to supplement the roster. Through the first three rounds, the Lions have drafted three players. Early in the second round, they traded up to draft guard Tate Ratledge.
They continued to stay aggressive as they traded up in the third round. Detroit acquired No. 70, No. 182 and a sixth-round pick in 2026 from the Jaguars for No. 102 and two third-round picks in 2026. They moved up to draft Isaac TeSlaa from Arkansas, which came as a surprise.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler had TeSlaa as the 24th-ranked WR on his draft board and gave him a fifth or sixth-round grade. The fact that he went two rounds earlier is a bit telling. The Michigan native is extremely athletic and twitchy, but that doesn't always pop up on film.
Brugler wrote that teams are confused why his impact and production weren't better on tape, considering the traits he has. In two seasons at Arkansas, TeSlaa had 62 receptions for 896 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He didn't finish with more than 545 receiving yards in any season.
He's also relatively new to the position, as he played quarterback in high school before switching to receiver at the Division II level.
While it has some enticing tools and he stands at 6-foot-4, fans shouldn't have big expectations for him in 2025. And that isn't what fans expect when a player is drafted in the first three rounds.
He will fight for the WR5 spot behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, and Kalif Raymond. TeSlaa may have a chance to make an impact on special teams but it didn't look like the Lions needed to take him in the third. They clearly fell in love with his character and potential but it could be something they regret down the line.