June 7, 2025

The Detroit Lions selected big-bodied Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In his first four drafts as general manager of the Detroit Lions, Brad Holmes spent Day 1 or Day 2 capital on three different skill position players. Detroit selected wide receiver Jameson Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and tight end Sam LaPorta. Add in their 2021 fourth-round pick, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the Holmes/Dan Campbell era has yet to miss. The Lions hope to continue the streak of good fortune with TeSlaa. A former high school quarterback, TeSlaa began his collegiate career at Division II Hillsdale College, where he converted to WR and showcased enough talent to become a sought-after player when he entered the transfer portal before the 2023 season. Although he did not reach 35 receptions or 550 yards in either of his two seasons with the Razorbacks, his vice-like hands and impressive athleticism were undeniable. He finished his SEC career with zero drops on 100 targets, and he propelled himself into Day 2 consideration with a quietly consistent week at the Senior Bowl and an underappreciated Combine performance. After running a blazing 4.43 40-yard dash at 6'4" and 214 pounds, his Relative Athletic Score of 9.93 ranked 29th out of nearly 4,000 WRs since 1987, per Kent Lee Platte. While Detroit was the No. 1 scoring offense in 2024, it will be without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. New OC John Morton returns to Detroit after leading a top 10 offense of his own as OC of the Denver Broncos, having spent time with the Lions in 2022 as a senior offensive assistant. Unless Morton plans to overhaul the offense, TeSlaa's inside-outside versatility should allow the Lions to continue their creative movement of St. Brown and Williams across formations. With only Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond ahead of him on the depth chart, TeSlaa's serviceable blocking and reliability could lead him to push for a regular role in three-WR sets earlier than expected. Currently, RotoBaller's WR 122, TeSlaa, should be seen more as an in-season waiver add in redraft leagues. Still, as the WR14 in rookie drafts, he possesses the exact makeup and opportunity that should be targeted in the 4th round in rookie-only drafts.--McGrumble - RotoBaller