The Detroit Lions took a break from including to their trenches to commerce up and purchase Arkansas vast receiver Isaac TeSlaa within the third spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft. TeSlaa, who grew up in Hudsonville, Michigan, will now get an opportunity to play for the crew he has watched since he was a child.
“I don’t know if I’ve the phrases proper now,” TeSlaa advised the media following being chosen by the Lions. “I’m nonetheless processing it proper now. Clearly, it’s been not solely a dream to play within the NFL however to play for my hometown crew, the crew I’ve rooted for since I’ve been a child – it’s simply an unbelievable feeling. I’m simply able to go to work, get to the ability, and put the work in.”
Spherical 3, Decide 70: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
The Lions initially held decide No. 102 within the third spherical however noticed a possibility to commerce as much as decide No. 70 to amass TeSlaa. With a view to make the deal occur, the Lions coupled decide No. 102 and two third-round picks in 2026 to amass picks No. 70 and 182 in addition to a sixth-round decide in 2026.
“The effectively runs dry at some factors in these Drafts, so that you higher get the fellows you actually, really need, then you definately’ve acquired to fret about the remaining later,” Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes advised the media following the trades on Day 2.
Match with the Lions
Checking in at 6-foot-3 1⁄2, 215 kilos, with an elite RAS of 9.93 and a Grit rating of 77.36 (Tier 2, thirty second total in school), TeSlaa’s profile is similar to Lions WR-X Tim Patrick. Nonetheless, TeSlaa didn’t play the WR-X function at Arkansas; he operated as a Huge Slot choice (83.3% of snaps got here out of the slot), which allowed him to realize separation on the line of scrimmage and get into his routes rapidly.
“He’s massive, he can run, he’s robust, he’s good, he’s a fingers catcher, and he blocks, and he performs particular groups, and that’s why we had been excited to go and get him,” Holmes mentioned when describing Teslaa to the media.
Moreover, TeSlaa is a stable blocker, one thing the Lions demand of their vast receivers. His toughness additionally interprets to particular groups, the place the Lions really feel he could make an affect.
“He was simply being a pest, and he was simply pissing off the DBs and the defenders,” Holmes mentioned of watching TeSlaa on the Senior Bowl. “And clearly, it simply made me wish to fully watch the tape. And also you see a man that’s simply massive, lengthy, clean strider, can speed up, can run. He’s a fingers catcher, can play particular groups, can block, so can do lots of issues.”
Whereas TeSlaa brings lots of high quality traits the Lions want, he’s nonetheless growing as a receiver. One notable space TeSlaa might want to enhance is gaining separation on the line when he strains up on the skin. TeSlaa has struggled to beat the press at occasions, which might be the explanation Arkansas opted to make use of him within the slot so incessantly—so he had a pure stage of separation from off-coverage.
“He’s going to need to be taught getting off press and all that stuff similar to all of them do,” Holmes continued. “However he’s acquired all of the bodily instruments, and he’s acquired the intangible make-up to have the ability to overcome that.”
Whereas TeSlaa brings a Huge Slot component to the Lions—one thing they don’t presently have on the roster—it’s very seemingly the Lions view him as a possible alternative for Patrick within the WR-X function. If that’s the case, he’ll must work on beating the press very early in his profession—one thing TeSlaa believes he’s able to.
“I see myself as somebody who can play each positions,” TeSlaa famous in his post-selecion press convention. “Clearly, I’ve a giant body – velocity, measurement, every part. So, that’s exterior receiver, however I may also be moved to the slot. I really feel like I carry lots of versatility, and there’s all the time room to develop. I believe in the event you speak to anybody within the NFL, even the very best of the very best, they inform you there’s all the time room for enchancment. So, for me, that’s my mentality, simply coming in, doing every part I can do, and simply persevering with to enhance each single day.”
When requested which participant he fashions his recreation after, TeSlaa famous his recreation greatest resembles Rams All-Professional vast receiver, Puka Nakua.
“I believe somebody I actually take pleasure in watching can be Puka Nacua,” TeSlaa continued. “I believe he does so many issues so effectively. You’ll be able to transfer him inside, exterior, he’s nice towards man, he’s nice towards zone. He makes use of his measurement, you’ll be able to put him in movement, he can block within the run recreation, nice in play-action. I simply suppose he does so many issues effectively and I believe that’s one thing I can carry to the desk.”
Roster Influence
In Detroit, TeSlaa will seemingly present the Lions with a Huge Slot choice—one thing they don’t have on the roster—and contributing on particular groups, whereas additionally working to develop his recreation on the WR-X function on the skin.
The Lions prime 4 vast receivers are established—Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Patrick, and Kalif Raymond—however TeSlaa has an opportunity to slip into the WR5 place, and he’ll have an opportunity to see the sphere due to his uniqueness and blocking abilities.
“Man, I’m pumped. I’m so excited,” TeSlaa mentioned of the Lions vast receiver room. “So many various talent units, clearly. Veterans, new guys. So many various abilities and so many various backgrounds that I’m going to have the ability to be taught from. Clearly, there’s a lot expertise in that room, and I’m simply excited—like I mentioned—to be taught from all of them, however to carry one thing else—one thing new—to the room as effectively.”
