Lions’ Confusing Receiver Decision Could Come Back to Bite Them
It might already be time to worry.
Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions | Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
This offseason has not been kind to the Detroit Lions.
There’s no need to revisit every misstep since Detroit’s embarrassing playoff loss at home to the Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round, but let’s just say it’s been downhill. After several years of positive momentum under Dan Campbell, the team is now under a level of scrutiny not seen since his early rebuilding days.
[RELATED: 3 remaining free agents Detroit could still target before 2025 kicks off]
And unfortunately, the bad news hasn’t stopped. The latest reason for concern? It’s buried midway through a recent ESPN article titled, “Who was the biggest head-scratching pick of the draft?” Yeah, not the kind of headline you want to be associated with. Analyst Matt Bowen singled out the Lions for their questionable selection of Isaac TeSlaa. Let’s just say it doesn’t inspire much confidence. If you’d rather avoid the emotional damage, no one would blame you. This one stings.
Detroit’s Risk at Receiver Could Shape the Franchise’s Future
Bowen’s analysis pulled no punches:
“Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa to the Lions (No. 70). He’s got intriguing measurables – 6-foot-4 frame, deep-threat speed (4.43 40-yard dash), and a huge vertical (39½ inches). But he’s still raw, and Detroit gave up two third-round picks in 2026 to move up and get him.”
Hearing that Detroit sacrificed multiple future picks for a project player who might barely contribute in 2025 is a gut punch. ESPN probably doesn’t harbor specific grudges against teams, but it’s easy to imagine they do after reading that. Sure, no one can say for sure how these picks will turn out. But that doesn’t make the sting any less real.
Can we go back to pretending draft picks don’t matter? Ignorance really was bliss.
Hey, at least they didn’t take Dillon Gabriel?
Would you like a graphic or a comparison chart showing TeSlaa vs other WR picks around that draft slot?
