Penei Sewell offers review of Lions' top rookie that should have fans excited

The emergence of Isaac TeSlaa has been one of the biggest stories during Detroit Lions' training camp, and even if he has flown under the radar nationally, his teammates are seeing how he can impact the game every day.

TeSlaa has impressed not only his young teammates, but veterans as well. It's safe to say as the offseason has progressed he has only begun to pick up more hype for the 2025 season.

One of the toughest players to impress might well be offensive tackle Penei Sewell. Sewell is one of the best offensive linemen in the league and wants to see his teammates show up and meet a standard every day.

Recently, in an interview with ESPN's Kevin Clark, Sewell was asked what newcomer has most impressed him. Unprompted, Sewell provided TeSlaa's name, and offered a great explanation as to why he's impressed. Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with his pass catching.

"I like the way he plays physical. I'm not even talking about the receiving (or) catching. That man can block and I like the way he attacks that aspect of the game. Really ready to put his head down and go in there, hit somebody."

The block first mindset fits the Lions well. Players such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams have been willing to sacrifice their body down the field first in order to set things up for their teammates. To this end, TeSlaa fits the mindset that is already prevalent in the locker room.

For a young player to show a tough mindset first is a major positive as TeSlaa competes for a role in 2025. It will make him easier to put on the field all things considered.

Jared Goff also encouraged by what he has seen from TeSlaa so far

Not only is Sewell impressed with TeSlaa, but his quarterback is as well. Goff has been working with the rookie receiver since the spring, and has seen notable signs of growth that have come recently as the game has started to slow down.

Speaking with 97.1 The Ticket's "Karsch and Anderson", Goff was asked about TeSlaa's game and provided a similarly glowing review from the quarterback position.

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

"He's been doing a good job. He's been getting better, too. I think I saw it last week, kind of a flip switch for him where he realized the speed of the game and started to catch up to how fast everything moves and how physical he needs to be. Feeling more confident and comfortable. I can tell he is feeling (confident) and that's always great for me."

As Goff knows, a veteran can be the best way to bridge a gap for an inquisitive youngster. To this end, he's been trying to not only help TeSlaa learn, but guide him given he also seems to crave hard work.

"I'm just trying to help him as best I can and just trying to do my best to push him along and maximize him. He's a guy who wants to be pushed. He wants to be taught and when you get players like that, like Brad (Holmes) continues to bring in, it makes it really easy for me."

TeSlaa could be the next big thing in the NFL, and if that's the case, a few Lions veterans can certainly say they saw it coming right off the bat.

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