Detroit’s Bold Move: Lions Snag Arkansas Standout Isaac TeSlaa, SEC’s Deep Threat, in Third Round of 2025 NFL Draft
In a move that stunned analysts and thrilled fans, the Detroit Lions made a daring play late on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Isaac TeSlaa, the explosive wide receiver from the University of Arkansas, in the third round. Known across the Southeastern Conference for his size, speed, and deep-threat capabilities, TeSlaa’s name now adds firepower to one of the NFL’s most dynamic young offenses.
A Risk Worth Taking
TeSlaa wasn’t on every analyst’s top-10 wide receiver board heading into the draft, but what he lacks in name-brand hype, he more than makes up for in raw talent and upside. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds, the former D-II standout who transferred to Arkansas quickly made a name for himself in the SEC — no easy task.
In his lone season with the Razorbacks, TeSlaa recorded 58 receptions for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns, frequently torching top defensive backs and making contested catches look routine. He showcased elite ball-tracking skills, strong hands, and a surprising burst that made him one of the most dangerous vertical threats in the conference.
“Detroit just drafted a walking mismatch,” said NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah following the selection. “TeSlaa has the frame of a possession receiver but the athleticism and mentality of a game-breaking deep threat. This is a bet on traits — and it could pay off big.”
A Fit in Motor City
The Lions have already built a strong offensive nucleus around quarterback Jared Goff, star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, and explosive running back Jahmyr Gibbs. With TeSlaa now in the fold, Detroit adds a much-needed vertical dimension that could stretch defenses and open up opportunities across the board.
“He gives us something we’ve been looking for — that true outside guy who can go up and win one-on-ones downfield,” said head coach Dan Campbell. “He’s got grit, he’s hungry, and he’s still just scratching the surface of what he can be. We’re fired up to bring him in.”
TeSlaa’s addition may also help take pressure off St. Brown in the slot and create more favorable matchups for tight end Sam LaPorta and WR Jameson Williams, who returns healthy and ready to shine in 2025.
From D-II to the Draft Stage
Isaac TeSlaa’s journey to the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. A former standout at Hillsdale College, a Division II program in Michigan, he transferred to Arkansas in 2023 seeking to prove he could compete against the best. He did just that — and now he’s headed back to the Great Lakes State to start the next chapter of his football story.
“This means everything,” TeSlaa said in a post-draft interview. “I’ve had to fight for everything I’ve gotten. I’m thankful to Arkansas for giving me a shot and to the Lions for believing in what I can become. I’m ready to get to work.”
Fan Reaction and Expectations
The Lions’ fan base — still riding high after a playoff breakthrough in 2024 — has reacted with enthusiasm and curiosity to the TeSlaa pick. Social media quickly lit up with highlight reels of the wideout leaping over defenders and sprinting past SEC corners.
“He’s a sleeper with star potential,” one fan wrote. “If Dan Campbell loves this guy, I do too.”
Others compared the pick to previous mid-round gems the Lions have found in recent drafts, pointing to the front office’s growing reputation for finding value outside the spotlight.
Looking Ahead
TeSlaa enters a receiver room filled with talent and opportunity. If he can refine his route-running, adjust to NFL speed, and continue developing physically, he could become one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 draft class.
The Lions took a bold swing — and if Isaac TeSlaa delivers on the promise he flashed in the SEC, Detroit may have just added another key
piece to its championship puzzle.
