The Detroit Lions made waves on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft by climbing the board to snag wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the third round. Originally holding the 102nd overall pick, the Lions struck a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, moving up to No. 70. In exchange, Detroit sent Jacksonville pick 102 and a pair of other third-rounders, receiving picks 70, 182, and a sixth-round selection in 2026.
TeSlaa brings an intriguing mix of size and speed to Detroit’s offense. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 214 pounds, he turned heads at the combine by running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. At 23 years old, he’s viewed more as a developmental talent than an immediate contributor, given his modest collegiate stats.
While the Lions aren’t in desperate need of help at receiver, many analysts were puzzled by the move, considering TeSlaa’s limited production at the college level.
Brinkerhoff and Ostly noted that TeSlaa has the physical tools to succeed but remains unproven. They questioned the decision, suggesting the Lions passed over more established options to take a gamble on raw potential.
Nick Baumgardner called it a signature move by GM Brad Holmes, describing TeSlaa as one of the class’s biggest receivers and best athletes. Still, Baumgardner raised concerns about the price Detroit paid and whether TeSlaa’s athleticism will translate, especially since he never had more than 34 catches in a season against top-tier competition.
Brent Sobleski compared Detroit’s receiver group to a basketball lineup, praising the unique traits each pass-catcher brings. While TeSlaa didn’t dominate during his time at Arkansas after transferring from Division II, his standout performance at the Senior Bowl and elite pre-draft athletic testing (ranking 11th all-time among WRs in RAS) point to significant potential.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz echoed the theme of high ceiling but raw skill. He believes TeSlaa’s frame and leaping ability give him a shot at becoming a dangerous weapon downfield, though he’ll likely start off playing a specialized role, possibly from the slot.
