Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa might go from surprise draft pick to starter in his first season in the NFL.
TeSlaa wasn't on anyone's radar when the Lions traded up to draft him in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft, but general manager Brad Holmes has never been someone who goes with the flow and it's clear the Lions think highly of him.
That has become more evident as the offseason progresses, and especially lately.
TeSlaa has reportedly worked his way into first-team reps. Meanwhile, veteran Tim Patrick, who is expected to be Detroit's WR3 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, has struggled.
“Don’t look now, but Isaac TeSlaa is starting to get sprinkled in with the first-team offense," Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network reported. "With Patrick battling inconsistency, and TeSlaa exceeding early expectations, the Lions are exploring what the rookie can do against higher-caliber defenders.”
On top of flashing in practice, TeSlaa impressed in his preseason debut, also, when he reeled in two catches for a team-high 46 yards, with those receptions going for 24 and 22 yards.
TeSlaa also showed he can make an impact on special teams after a strong gunner rep on one of the Lions' punts in the contest.
Patrick was a solid contributor for the Lions last season, with his 394 receiving yards ranking fifth on the team, and third among wide receivers.
However, as we've seen over the years, head coach Dan Campbell doesn't just hand big roles to players, so don't rule out TeSlaa passing Patrick on the depth chart if the veteran can't find his footing moving forward.
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