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The Detroit Lions made one of the more surprising moves of Day 2 at the 2025 NFL Draft, trading up to select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa with the 70th overall pick. A Hudsonville, Michigan native, TeSlaa now finds himself wearing the jersey of the team he grew up supporting but sentimentality alone will not determine his future. As the Lions continue to shape their roster for sustained success, TeSlaa’s unique skill set and developmental upside present an intriguing addition to an already crowded wide receiver room.
TeSlaa’s route to professional football was unconventional. Originally a wing-T quarterback at the high school level, he began his collegiate career at Division II Hillsdale College before transferring to Arkansas to compete in the SEC. His rare athletic profile, nearly 6-foot-4, 214 pounds, with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.93, set him apart in pre-draft evaluations.
Detroit’s willingness to part with multiple picks to acquire TeSlaa signals a strong internal valuation. General Manager Brad Holmes summarized the aggressive move by noting, "The well runs dry at some points in these drafts, so you better get the guys you want."
The Lions' wide receiver hierarchy currently features established contributors: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, and Kalif Raymond. Within this structure, TeSlaa’s most immediate path to playing time will likely come as a "Big Slot" receiver a role he occupied extensively at Arkansas, where he lined up inside on over 80% of his snaps.
TeSlaa’s physicality and willingness as a blocker align with Detroit’s offensive ethos. His ability to contribute on special teams further enhances his value in a depth role. Holmes praised TeSlaa’s versatility: “He’s big, he can run, he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a hands catcher, and he blocks.”
While TeSlaa’s size-speed combination is promising, his transition to the NFL will require refinement, particularly in beating press coverage on the outside a skillset he was rarely tested on at Arkansas. This developmental curve may initially limit his role to inside alignments and special teams assignments.
However, Holmes and the Lions' coaching staff believe TeSlaa’s physical tools and mental makeup provide a foundation for growth. If he can evolve his release techniques and route-running precision, he could eventually compete for an outside receiver role, possibly as a long-term replacement for Tim Patrick.
“I see myself as someone who can play both positions,” TeSlaa said after his selection. “I have the frame, the speed, the size, and there’s always room for improvement.”
In a wide receiver group already rich in talent, TeSlaa enters as a complementary piece rather than a centerpiece. His unique Big Slot profile fills a niche currently missing from the Lions’ offense, while his blocking and special teams acumen provide immediate pathways to contribute. If his development proceeds as Detroit envisions, TeSlaa could prove to be another value find in Brad Holmes’ growing list of draft successes.
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A Nontraditional Path to the NFL
TeSlaa’s route to professional football was unconventional. Originally a wing-T quarterback at the high school level, he began his collegiate career at Division II Hillsdale College before transferring to Arkansas to compete in the SEC. His rare athletic profile, nearly 6-foot-4, 214 pounds, with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.93, set him apart in pre-draft evaluations.
Detroit’s willingness to part with multiple picks to acquire TeSlaa signals a strong internal valuation. General Manager Brad Holmes summarized the aggressive move by noting, "The well runs dry at some points in these drafts, so you better get the guys you want."
Projecting TeSlaa’s Role
The Lions' wide receiver hierarchy currently features established contributors: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, and Kalif Raymond. Within this structure, TeSlaa’s most immediate path to playing time will likely come as a "Big Slot" receiver a role he occupied extensively at Arkansas, where he lined up inside on over 80% of his snaps.
TeSlaa’s physicality and willingness as a blocker align with Detroit’s offensive ethos. His ability to contribute on special teams further enhances his value in a depth role. Holmes praised TeSlaa’s versatility: “He’s big, he can run, he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a hands catcher, and he blocks.”
Development Areas and Long-Term Outlook
While TeSlaa’s size-speed combination is promising, his transition to the NFL will require refinement, particularly in beating press coverage on the outside a skillset he was rarely tested on at Arkansas. This developmental curve may initially limit his role to inside alignments and special teams assignments.
However, Holmes and the Lions' coaching staff believe TeSlaa’s physical tools and mental makeup provide a foundation for growth. If he can evolve his release techniques and route-running precision, he could eventually compete for an outside receiver role, possibly as a long-term replacement for Tim Patrick.
“I see myself as someone who can play both positions,” TeSlaa said after his selection. “I have the frame, the speed, the size, and there’s always room for improvement.”
A Measured Addition with Upside
In a wide receiver group already rich in talent, TeSlaa enters as a complementary piece rather than a centerpiece. His unique Big Slot profile fills a niche currently missing from the Lions’ offense, while his blocking and special teams acumen provide immediate pathways to contribute. If his development proceeds as Detroit envisions, TeSlaa could prove to be another value find in Brad Holmes’ growing list of draft successes.
Continue reading...
