Lions' most polarizing pick could be a draft steal according to ESPN analyst

Sleeper picks or draft steals aren't immediately apparent to teams until games actually start up. We've seen absurd breakouts from players like Nick Chubb with the Cleveland Browns, Stefon Diggs with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, and of course, the infamous surge of 5th rounder Tom Brady.

Again, though, none of these players seemed like they'd be huge pieces to their teams when taken. And now, they're cornerstones - legends in the case of Brady.

It's always a gamble to try and label similar sleepers in any draft, but that's exactly what ESPN analyst Louis Riddick attempted to do after the 2025 NFL Draft. He named a potentially impactful player for all 32 teams from the draft, and for the Detroit Lions, he named the most polarizing pick the Lions made as the player to watch for a breakout with the team in 2025 and beyond: Isaac TeSlaa.

TeSlaa named potential sleeper by ESPN analyst

TeSlaa, who the Lions traded up to snag ahead of the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints, has been a pick that came under fire from Detroit fans who were confused as to why the team would opt for a wide receiver, and not a pass rusher or another defender. The Arkansas receiver got very little touches in 2024, so it's hard to see how he'll translate to the NFL after college.

But, according to The 33rd Teams' Kyle Crabbs in his draft profile of TeSlaa, his "explosiveness athletically sets the stage for him to be a breakout player in the pros once he’s able to be developed more clearly than the role he filled at Arkansas the last two seasons afforded him."

"TeSlaa has great hands, toughness, and good open-field speed. However, the nuances of route running will be a work in progress. He’s likely worth the wait," added Crabbs.

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However, according to intel shared by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, TeSlaa's draft stock was significantly rising prior to the draft thanks to his stellar interviews and great combine showing. His motivation to end up in both the Hula Bowl and Senior Bowl also showed how badly he wanted to end up with a team in April, and it led to a great impression left on GM Brad Holmes and the Lions front office.

TeSlaa will be someone Detroit will probably develop throughout the season considering they still have both Jameson Wiliams and Amon-Ra St. Brown under contract. Those two are going to eat a majority of targets from Jared Goff, but TeSlaa should be able to sneak in for some snaps as a blocker or for short yardage situations.

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