Predicting the Lions' WR3 battle, two veterans move aside

The Detroit Lions will begin training camp in less than two weeks when rookies report on July 16. Until then, we're going to be making predictions on the biggest camp battles of the summer.

Issac TeSlaa vs Tim Patrick vs Kalif Raymond

The Lions are set with their two starting guys with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but the Lions are in a place where they can benefit from a third receiver who will get plenty of opportunities. Let's talk about the options. 

Isaac TeSlaa

The Lions traded three third-round picks to move up for TeSlaa, and they did it because he brings an aspect to the Lions offense that they haven't really had in a long time. A big X-receiver who can high-point the ball and make contested catches. He can also stretch the field, and that helps.

Tim Patrick

Patrick helped the Lions a lot last year. The idea was that Detroit really wanted to replace the type of production that Josh Reynolds brought to the team, and for the most part, he did that. He was solid when it came to getting first-down catches. He did struggle in the red zone and didn't bring a lot of yards after the catch. 

Kalif Raymond

Raymond spent many weeks on the injured reserve list in 2024, but even before and after that, the Lions began to move away from him as an option on the offense. He spent most of the year just being the return man. A role that he is very good at. 

Who's getting the job? 

This one seems very obvious to me. It's going to Iaac TeSlaa, and the reasons are that he can just bring more to the offense than Partick and Raymond. The ability to be a solid blocker while also being a guy who can play a big role in the red zone and gets yards after the catch elsewhere is big for this team and adds another layer to the offense.