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Is Isaac TeSlaa starting for the Detroit Lions in fantasy football? Should I Draft TeSlaa in 2025? Read the rookie fantasy football outlook and depth chart analysis.
Throughout the preseason, many rookies have begun to establish a role on their respective teams. In Detroit, a surprising rookie wide receiver has emerged and climbed the depth chart.
Third-round pick out of Arkansas, Isaac TeSlaa has been one of the team's top performers in the preseason and is making a strong case to open the campaign in a starting role.
Is TeSlaa starting for the Lions? Should fantasy managers draft TeSlaa? Let's dive in!
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Is Isaac TeSlaa Starting for the Detroit Lions?
During the preseason, TeSlaa found the back of the end zone in each contest and consistently performed as the team's top wideout. In the preseason finale against the Houston Texans, TeSlaa capped off his preseason by tallying 41 yards and a score.
While this performance may have been enough to earn him a starting job, on Wednesday, the Lions opted to trade No. 3 wide receiver Tim Patrick, which could put TeSlaa in the driver's seat to claim a starting job.
In addition, following this preseason contest, head coach Dan Campbell spoke quite highly of him, suggesting that the team views him as a starter. This recent trade further solidifies that sentiment.
Isaac TeSlaa's preseason stats 👀
🦁 10 catches
🦁 146 yards
🦁 3 TDsWhat's his fantasy ceiling with Tim Patrick on his way to the Jags? pic.twitter.com/NALs1XPEUz
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) August 27, 2025
Isaac TeSlaa Fantasy Football Outlook
Following the trade that sent Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, TeSlaa now appears poised to open this season as the team's No. 3 wide receiver behind superstar Amon-Ra St. Brown and No. 2 option Jameosn Williams. While veteran Kalif Raymond could be given a slightly larger role early on, given Teslaa's play in the preseason, he will likely claim this job sooner rather than later.
During his final season in Arkansas, TeSlaa caught a career-high 545 yards on 28 receptions. He found the back of the end zone three times and averaged 41.9 yards per game.
While his college statistics are not particularly eye-catching, the Lions believed in his profile and drafted him relatively early in the third round. Seeing him perform quite well within their system in the preseason is a very positive sign for his fantasy outlook.
Isaac TeSlaa to the 🌛!!! https://t.co/0IQLnzRESy
— "Thunder Dan" Palyo (@ThunderDanDFS) August 27, 2025
Should I Draft Isaac TeSlaa?
However, while he has gotten off to a strong start to his career and apepars ot have won a starting job, he is tough to trust for fantasy. TeSlaa will play alongside a very crowded pass-catching room led by two top wide receivers, an elite tight end in Sam LaPorta, and an elite backfield consisting of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
As a result, TeSlaa is best left for deeper 12+ team 3-WR PPR formats for the time being. However, if one of St. Brown or Williams were to miss time, TeSlaa could carve out a more viable fantasy role.
As a result, managers in shallow leagues should continue to leave TeSlaa on the waiver wire. However, managers in deeper settings should consider adding TeSlaa to their bench as he could become a viable flex option later in the campaign.
If players like Valdes-Scantling and Tim Patrick are keeping you from drafting Tory Horton or Isaac TeSlaa, then you’re already behind the markets.
Nothing that’s happened the last 2 days should have changed your perception on their values.
— Brandon Murchison (@RotoSuperstar) August 27, 2025
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