Buzz around Lions rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa now has a natural mid-August tentacle

On Monday, head coach Dan Campbell was asked about TeSlaa's performance against Atlanta.

"I thought he did well", Campbell said. "I thought he played better than he did the first week. I would say every since he put pads on, he's been trending this way (word accompanied by an upward hand motion). That's a good sign, that you're getting better with pad on, than the pajamas."

Later on Monday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz dropped some random but pointed praise about TeSlaa.

READ MORE: Jordan Love injury twist gives Lions big upper hand for Week 1 showdown

"TeSlaa has been turning heads in camp and is working his way into a role within the offense. The team loves his all-out effort every snap, his strong hands/ability at the catch-point, and the way his blocking in the run game stands out — a Dan Campbell staple. Detroit traded up to get TeSlaa in a bold move and he’s absolutely a player to watch this season."

When asked by ESPN's Kevin Clark who he thinks is the Lions' most impressive newcomer this year, right tackle Penei Sewell said TeSlaa with little hesitation.

The Isaac TeSlaa buzz now has a natural mid-August tentacle

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has put together a fresh list of deep fantasy sleepers to target in drafts after the first full week of the 2025 preseason. TeSlaa rounded out the list of five players.

"The Detroit Lions and Isaac TeSlaa are a dream pairing. The 6'4", 214-pound rookie has the potential to thrive in this high-flying offense and provided a glimpse of his ceiling during the team's second contest of the 2025 preseason."

"The 23-year-old showed off his speed and athleticism in a 17-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, most notably in the second quarter when he created separation from the defense and hauled in a high-point pass to put Detroit's first points on the board."

"TeSlaa's latest showing built on the two-catch, 46-yard debut outing he had in the Hall of Fame game the prior week. He's now averaging 16 yards per reception in the preseason and appears to be trending towards a small but meaningful big-play role once the campaign gets underway next month."

Kay addressed TeSlaa's current place in the pecking order for opportunities in the Lions' offense, while also noting the shakiness of Tim Patrick's place as the WR3.

"Although he'll open his career well behind established talents such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta in the pecking order, his upside within this offense is undeniable. Detroit's depth beyond its big three pass-catchers is shaky too, especially with Tim Patrick—a 31-year-old who missed two consecutive seasons between 2022-23—set to play a key role."

While the overall premise of his article is deep sleepers to target in drafts, Kay ultimately landed on the bottom line with TeSlaa going into the season. He will not be drafted outside of the very, very deepest redraft leagues, but he is a name fantasy managers should stash on waiver wire watchlists.

"TeSlaa still may be on the fringes of standard fantasy league rosters going into the season, but he will quickly become one of the hottest waiver-wire additions should any of Detroit's veteran receivers get sidelined."

It's mid-August, and the teeth of fantasy football draft season. So the buzz around Isaac TeSlaa's performance in camp and preseason games now has an easy tentacle.

More Lions news and analysis