Pair of top Lions rookies gain massive Week 3 boost with major PFF honor

The Detroit Lions have drafted very well under Brad Holmes since 2021, and this is perhaps the biggest reason the franchise has been able to abruptly shift their fortunes so fast.

There's been plenty of impressive draft classes in recent seasons, but based on some early returns, 2025 might prove to be one of the best. Already, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams has stepped up and enjoyed a solid start to his career. A pair of his rookie teammates also impressed into Week 2.

Williams didn't end up making PFF's All-Rookie team from Week 2, but wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa and guard Tate Ratledge did. Writer Jim Wyman was impressed with what he saw from the duo enough to put them on the list at a pair of vital positions. First, TeSlaa got the nod at receiver for another dynamic catch.

"While TeSlaa was only targeted one time, it was about as impressive a target as you’re going to find. TeSlaa made a one-handed catch almost 30 yards downfield with Tyrique Stevenson draped all over him to set the Lions up with a 1st-and-goal right before the half. TeSlaa has two career NFL catches through his first two games, yet he’s needed a grand total of two hands to haul in those passes combined."

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Moving on to the middle of the offensive line, Ratledge made the cut at guard, and saw a major turnaround in his pass blocking according to Wyman. That was a primary reason for his resurgence as well as Detroit's success up front.

"Ratledge appears on this list for the second consecutive week. Last time out, he struggled mightily in pass protection, surrendering three pressures and a sack for a 39.2 PFF pass-blocking grade. He showed marked improvement against the Bears, allowing just one pressure on 30 pass-blocking snaps while posting a 66.8 PFF pass-blocking grade."

Overall, the Lions landing a pair of offensive rookies on the list in Week 2 was a welcome development. Young players can take time to adjust to the league, and getting this duo worked in so fast has been a breath of fresh air for Detroit. It gives the Lions some momentum to ride into a tough Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

TeSlaa's practice with one-handed catches paying off for Lions

A big reason TeSlaa has made waves early on is his commitment to his craft. Even before he decided to change positions from quarterback, TeSlaa was working on the finer points of receiving, and was even practicing the now-famed one-handed catch, which has become his early calling card in the league.

"It's just something I've been repping since I knew I wanted to play receiver. Even when I was a quarterback, I would still run some some receiver drills with my dad. It was just a part of the routine we did every day. We'd do one-hand catches every different direction. Just to be able to put that practice into fruition in a game like this, kind of in back-to-back games, is super cool."

It's tough to say that any other Lions player has enjoyed such an electric start to his career. The scariest part? TeSlaa may not even have a complete grasp of Detroit's offense yet. When he's able to find that, he's likely to see even more targets and make easier receptions than the ones he's already shown drawing PFF praise.