The Detroit Lions made sure to get their guy.
They had to trade up 32 spots in the 2025 NFL Draft to take Isaac TeSlaa, the promising wide receiver.
The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue wrote heading into Week 1 about why the Lions had such conviction in that move:
If general manager Brad Holmes is convinced about a receiver who he thinks will contribute early, he’s drafting him, regardless of the cost. Such was the case for TeSlaa, whom Holmes traded up 32 spots to select in the third round this spring. Holmes later said TeSlaa was “my favorite wide receiver in this draft. I’m not saying he was the best wide receiver in the draft. But favorite wide receiver in the draft? Yes.”
Now, TeSlaa heads into Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers with a chance to make an impact.
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The gifted wideout played his first two seasons of college football at Division II Hillsdale. After that, he transferred to Arkansas, where he stood out in the SEC.
TeSlaa has already said he hopes to get the chance to do a Lambeau Leap against the Packers on the road.
It looks like the Lions will be giving a sizable role to TeSlaa right away.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are the unquestioned top-two WRs for Detroit. But behind them, it's probably the rookie as WR3.
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Detroit also has Kalif Raymond and seventh-round rookie Dominic Lovett on the depth chart. Raymond is a situational deep threat, but he shouldn't take regular rotational snaps from TeSlaa.
So look out. The rookie with the blonde hair may soon be making plays for Detroit. It might not take long to make the trade up for TeSlaa seem very worth it.
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