The Detroit Lions raised eyebrows when they moved up an astonishing 32 spots in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to land Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. The aggressive trade signaled belief in TeSlaa’s athletic traits and potential, but it also invited skepticism.

While TeSlaa boasts physical gifts, size, and a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality common in small-school prospects, the real concern lies in what the Lions gave up—and whom they passed on. In hindsight, Detroit’s biggest draft miscalculation may have been failing to stay at pick No. 102 and select Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor.

Ayomanor was not only available at that point, but he arguably offered the perfect blend of readiness and grit the Lions needed.

Why Ayomanor Fit Better in Detroit

Elic Ayomanor was practically built for Detroit’s system. He played the X-receiver role at a Power Five school, was recognized for his tenacity as a blocker—something head coach Dan Campbell values deeply—and brought maturity and leadership to the locker room.

He had:

Experience against top-tier competition

Strong blocking ability for the run game

A polished, pro-ready body and skill set

Intelligence and toughness, both on and off the field

Ayomanor didn’t go off the board until pick No. 136 in the fourth round, which means the Lions could’ve snagged him without giving up any future draft capital.

To add perspective, draft analyst Dane Brugler had Ayomanor ranked 11th among wideouts with a third-round grade, while TeSlaa came in at 24th with a late-round projection.

Though Ayomanor has some technical growth ahead, scouts love his size, coordination, and competitiveness. He might not be refined yet, but he’s already a physical mismatch and could become a key piece for any offense.

Was the Trade Worth the Risk?

To move up to pick No. 70 and get TeSlaa, the Lions surrendered their No. 102 selection along with two third-round picks in 2026 to the Jaguars. That’s a significant haul for a developmental player. TeSlaa may have a higher athletic ceiling, but the immediate difference between him and Ayomanor is debatable.

If Ayomanor turns into a consistent performer while TeSlaa struggles to find his footing, this decision could haunt Holmes for years to come.

Implications for Detroit’s Receiver Depth

Amon-Ra St. Brown is a clear WR1, and Detroit is betting big on Jameson Williams to take a leap in 2025. Beyond those two, however, things get murky. TeSlaa may become a contributor in time, but Ayomanor looked ready to help from day one.

Detroit clearly chose long-term potential over short-term impact, but if TeSlaa doesn’t pan out, that decision may end up looking shortsighted.

Final Verdict

While Brad Holmes has built a solid draft résumé during his tenure, this particular move feels like a rare misfire. Had the Lions stayed at No. 102 and picked Ayomanor, they would’ve preserved draft capital and still secured a receiver with the toughness and polish to contribute right away. Instead, they bet on raw upside—and it may prove costly.