ESPN picks Detroit Lions' 2026 surprise player

[ASFN Admin]

The Detroit Lions' OTAs and minicamp are both complete, meaning there's essentially one month until the Lions really hit the ground running.

Detroit's 2026 training camp report dates are July 25 for rookies and July 28 for veterans.

As players enjoy a final monthlong break before camp opens, ESPN took a look at under-the-radar NFL players that could be in line to make a serious impact this fall.

ESPN picked second-year receiver Isaac TeSlaa as the Lions' under-the-radar player entering 2026.

As a rookie, TeSlaa scored six touchdowns off 16 receptions while playing a limited role alongside Detroit's strong offensive weapons, such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. But now the second-year WR is ready to get more involved with the support of coach Dan Campbell. Campbell is impressed and said TeSlaa "feels like a veteran right now."

"He is consistent for a young guy. He doesn't get frazzled. I mean this as a compliment, what he has done out here is in the spring, Phase 2, OTAs and all of that, it's just been very—there's been nothing like flashy about it, and that's a good thing," Campbell said during minicamp. "He is just consistent and where we expected him to be at this point, this time, for Year 2 is exactly where we want him, and I would say probably even a little bit more." — Eric Woodyard

TeSlaa, a 2025 third-round draft pick out of Arkansas, caught four of his six touchdowns last season from the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game onwards.

The 6-foot-4, 214-pound receiver hopes to carry that end-of-season momentum into 2026. TeSlaa registered 12 catches for 119 yards and a pair of scores in the season's final three weeks.

As he enters his second season donning the Honolulu blue, TeSlaa should only get more comfortable as Drew Petzing steps in as the Lions' new offensive coordinator. Per Pro Football Focus, TeSlaa totaled 438 offensive snaps during his rookie campaign.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN picks Detroit Lions' 2026 surprise player

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