Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa may not have had the target volume some expected this season, but he has made nearly every catch thrown his way over the first 16 games, earning the attention of the coaching staff.
Observers are increasingly curious about how TeSlaa, alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, could develop as a trio in the years ahead.
TeSlaa delivered another highlight-reel grab in Detroit’s season-ending loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas, leaping over defenders to secure a contested touchdown, bringing his total for the year to six.
“Whether it’s running or catching, he can do everything,” said Lions offensive coordinator John Morton, a former receiver himself.
“He’s tough, smart, and physical. And man, the hands are just phenomenal. You can throw it anywhere and he’ll find a way to catch it.”
Selected in the third round of April’s draft out of Arkansas, TeSlaa has really come into his own late in the season.
Four of his six touchdowns have come in Detroit’s final five games, as injuries to tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright increased his role in the red zone. His combination of size, athleticism, and physicality makes him a perfect fit to help fill the gap.
“He’s probably developed more than any of our young players this year,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s smart, instinctive, tough, and resilient. He’s taken on new responsibilities week after week and kept pushing through. That’s the kind of growth you hope to see from a rookie.”
TeSlaa has also excelled at contested catches, hauling in five of nine contested targets, second only to St. Brown. He finished the season with 15 receptions for 221 yards and six touchdowns.
“He’s really come on strong in the last stretch of the season,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “Everything’s starting to click for him, and it’s exciting to watch.
Hopefully that momentum carries over next year.”
When combined with St. Brown and Williams, TeSlaa’s skill set becomes even more intriguing.
The three complement one another perfectly, each bringing a different type of threat to Detroit’s offense, which also includes playmakers like David Montgomery and, when healthy, the tight ends.
“The potential with these guys is huge,” Morton said.
“They can do everything.” Williams added, “We’ve got speed, size, everything. Just the three of us can create a lot of problems for defenses, and that’s without even adding the rest of our skill players.”
Despite his breakout, TeSlaa is still a work in progress. The coaches are focusing on improving his ability to get open and his short-area quickness.
“He’s making catches that used to be difficult for him, but now we want to refine his ability to separate from defenders and expand his catch radius,” receivers coach and assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery said. “He’s learning to reach out and get the ball in tight spaces. That’s the next step in his development.”
