Five Highlights From Detroit Lions Draft Documentary

Isaac TeSlaa was a Dan Campbell favorite

Isaac TeSlaa’s selection during day two caused pundits to scratch their heads, but the war room was all in on the Arkansas receiver. The Lions, entering the day with the 102nd selection, were already at peace with trading up, as revealed by Holmes. Dan Campbell was quoted saying “I love this guy,” when the discussion of TeSlaa came around.

This, alongside the belief that TeSlaa would be the better player in his second year in the league, led to the speedster’s selection. His run blocking and effort, alongside his ability to catch the ball with his hands, were the main highlights of his features. That run blocking, in the All-Star setting of the Hula and Senior Bowls, told the Lions that TeSlaa was the culture fit they wanted.

Holmes and the Lions had identified Jacksonville as their trade candidate. The show made sure to highlight Terrion Arnold’s dig at Green Bay during the show, with the war room shown laughing at the 2024 first rounder’s one-liner. Regional scout Dakota Duncan mentioned how he had eyes on TeSlaa dating back to his first collegiate stop at local Hillsdale College.

Miles Frazier was extremely high on the Lions' board

As day two drew to a close, Holmes was asked who his selection would be if he had remained at 102, based on how the board fell. His response, “it would have been the LSU guard (Miles Frazier),” came true on day three.

The spirit was high in the room from the beginning, with Holmes recording the entire war room wearing his collegiate jersey, and calling it something he would never forget. When Frazier kept falling down the board, Holmes and Campbell reiterated they knew who and what the SEC standout was all about. They were ready to cut a deal.

Holmes, in particular, was keen on this pick, pacing and checking to make sure that New England was in on a trade to give the Lions the pick for the interior lineman. It was called a mission complete when acquiring him.

No doubt on any Day 3 selection

During the third day of the draft, the final three selections after Frazier were highly contested inside the Lions’ war room. Not from varying opinions, however, but from the order they wanted each player.

Ahmed Hassanein became the Lions next selection, but there was an internal debate if safety Dan Jackson should be the selection. Hassanein got the nod, and his strength, intensity and performance at the combine, and his ability against top-level competition stood out.

The main play that won the Lions over was Hassanein blowing up Tyler Warren during the college football playoff. The Boise State product was happy to head to Detroit, as he had a great interview in the pre-draft process, calling it his best one.

As far as the final two selections, Jackson and Dominic Lovett, special teams was the main consideration. The staff loved Jackson’s ability at safety and special teams, and thought a few more teams between selections needed a safety, so they nabbed him first, despite questions between taking him or Lovett.

His special teams ability, grit to grind from a walk-on to a two year starter, physicality, and ball-hawking skills got cited as the reasons for his selection. When reviewing the draft, Campbell made sure to point out “we got a safety,” looking over the board with Holmes.

“An ideal world” scenario mentioned both players being available, and that was another manifestation during the draft. Lovett became the final selection, and his gunner film, in particular, won the staff over. He also was a star with the ball in his hands, as seen during the initial weeks of training camp. Special teams will carve a route to the field, but do not think that Lovett's or Jackson’s role ends there this season.

Holmes and Campbell loved this draft, with the coach leading two rounds of applause when offering a speech post-draft. When looking over the board during one of the final scenes, Campbell noted, “it’s a good freakin’ draft.”