ESPN intel details why Detroit Lions traded up to draft Michigan native
ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions made one of the most surprising moves in the 2025 NFL draft when they made an aggressive move up the board to take Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.
TeSlaa was a supremely athletic prospect and someone who had a great developmental story, jumping from Hillsdale College to the SEC. But he had only 28 catches in his final season at Arkansas, not to mention just 62 catches through two seasons there. That’s nothing to scoff at; it just drew some eyes when the Lions shipped three third-round picks to get in position to take the wideout.
ESPN provided some intel on Detroit’s move and TeSlaa’s rise in its annual post coming out of the draft. One of the key takeaways is connected to TeSlaa continuing to make the most of his chances.
ESPN pointed to TeSlaa “scrambling” to get an invite to the Hula Bowl, which then led to an all-important invite to the Senior Bowl as vital factors. The Michigan native then did himself more favors at the scouting combine, running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and adding a 39.5-inch vertical jump to his profile.
“Had TeSlaa not gotten that Hula Bowl invite, his draft positioning would have looked far different,” per the report. “But once teams started to see him up close, they scheduled interviews with him and did their research on why he didn’t get the ball at Arkansas.
“It wasn’t because of attitude or work ethic issues — his personality shined in the process, becoming Detroit GM Brad Holmes’ favorite player in the draft. Some attributed his low production in college to lack of communication and inexperience at quarterback.”
Holmes said they hadn’t even watched TeSlaa’s film before seeing him at the Senior Bowl in Mobile. But then the Lions general manager saw TeSlaa in action, how he was in the running game, his effort in blocking, and the receiver’s size (6-foot-4, 214 pounds).
And that’s when the love affair and interest really took off.
“He was just being a pest and he was just pissing off the DBs and the defenders and obviously it just made me want to completely watch the tape and you see a guy that’s just big, long, smooth strider, can accelerate, can run,” Holmes said. “He’s a hands catcher, can play special teams, can block so can do a lot of things.”
TeSlaa spent the first three years of his career at Hillsdale College. The Hudsonville native showed flashes in 2021, then broke out in 2022 when he had 68 receptions for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He landed at Arkansas and had an immediate role. But the ball wasn’t coming his way much, so this intel from ESPN adds some context to why the Lions were so eager to make sure they got him.
There is also the report that he had great pre-draft visits with the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. The Saints had the 71st pick, the Bills had No. 72, and the Broncos were there at 74th overall, so the Lions moved up 32 selections to get in front of those franchises to take TeSlaa in the trade with Jacksonville.
“I mean, it’s a fun feeling, let me tell you. Not everyone gets to experience this, and I’m just extremely grateful,” TeSlaa said. “Obviously, God’s had a plan for me my entire life, and who knows that plan was going to play for the Detroit Lions someday? I’m just extremely grateful, and like I said, I’m just ready to come to work.
“Obviously, it’s been fun watching games from the TV, but it’s going to be even better to be on the field with them.”
