Slowly but surely, rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa became an integral part of the Detroit Lions' offense throughout the course of the 2025 season.
Detroit's third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, TeSlaa played just three offensive snaps in the Lions' Week 1 loss in Green Bay but made the most of those snaps, securing his first NFL touchdown reception with a one-handed 13-yard grab late in the loss.
TeSlaa played 17 offensive snaps the following week against Chicago and averaged around that mark for the first half of the season. Over the course of Detroit's first eight games, TeSlaa played 104 snaps on offense, averaging 13 per game.
As his understanding of the offense grew and quarterback Jared Goff’s comfort level with him grew, TeSlaa's role substantially increased. Over the last nine games of the season, TeSlaa played 330 snaps, averaging 36 per contest.
"He's probably grown more than anybody has throughout the year, as far as our young guys. He's grown the most," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of TeSlaa late in the season. "What you love about him is why he's here. Of course, he's got ability, but he's smart, he's instinctive, he's tough, he's a finisher, he's resilient.
"Every week, we've been able to put more and more on him. He's serving a lot of different roles, playing a lot of different positions. But he's just continued to – he's one of those guys that broke through that rookie wall at some point and just kept going. And that's what you want. Those are the guys you're looking for."
TeSlaa finished with a modest 16 receptions on 27 targets for 239 receiving yards, but six of those receptions went for touchdowns, which tied Titus Young (2011) for the second-most touchdown receptions by a first-year player in franchise history.
It's a solid baseline for TeSlaa to work with this offseason. He gets to enjoy his first NFL offseason with the opportunity to focus on improving his game. He has a big frame (6-4, 214) and a huge catch radius, which he showed off on several occasions in his first NFL season.
The Lions are hoping TeSlaa becomes an important part of a lethal receiving trio in Detroit alongside All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and back-to-back 1,000-yard receiver Jameson Williams.
So what's the next step for TeSlaa? What part of his game is he focused on improving the most heading into his second season?
"I'm very happy with how things went this season for me personally," TeSlaa said. "Obviously, so many things I can work on. I just had my exit meeting with (assistant head coach/wide receivers coach) Scottie (Montgomery) and he said the biggest thing is just quickness and separation, adding just a little bit more to my game will really help."
View photos of the Detroit Lions' rookie class throughout the 2025 season.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) in action during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) makes a tackle during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in Chicago. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 in Baltimore. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) catches the ball and scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier (71) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier (71) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier (71) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
That ability to get off the line of scrimmage quicker and separate from coverage to go along with a big frame and sure hands could make TeSlaa a tough cover.
One of the big priorities this offseason for general manager Brad Holmes and Campbell is improving the play upfront along the offensive line. In terms of the skill position weapons coming back with Goff at quarterback, St. Brown, Williams, and TeSlaa at receiver with Jahmyr Gibbs at running back and Sam LaPorta at tight end, it's easy to believe this offense can once again be one of the best units in the NFL in 2026.
"I'm just excited to be part of that trio," TeSlaa said. "Obviously, take some time this offseason to relax a little bit but then get to training and get ready to work on the things that will help us win next year."
