Lions GM Brad Holmes has surprising answer for his favorite wide receiver in NFL draft

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made one of the most questionable decisions of the 2025 NFL Draft when he traded two future third-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up in Round 3 and select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

Though TeSlaa has the size and speed to be a difference maker at the next level, the former Razorback wasn’t very productive in college and was a projected Day 3 pick. TeSlaa tallied just 897 yards and five touchdowns in two seasons at Arkansas.

Though trading up for TeSlaa was a bold move, Holmes continues to praise his new receiver. During a press conference on Tuesday, Holmes stated that TeSlaa was his favorite wide receiver in the 2025 class.

“The pick that was probably the most questioned was Isaac TeSlaa. I can say that he was my favorite receiver in this draft. Not saying he was the best wide receiver in the draft, but favorite, yes,” Holmes said.

#Lions GM Brad Holmes: “The pick that was probably the most questioned was Isaac TeSlaa. I can say that he was my favorite receiver in this draft. Not saying he was the best wide receiver in the draft, but favorite, yes.”

— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) April 29, 2025We have to give Holmes the benefit of the doubt with the TeSlaa pick due to his draft history. Since arriving in Detroit in 2021, Holmes has found multiple Day 2 and Day 3 gems, including All-Pros Amon-Ra St.Brown and Kerby Joseph, Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch, star defensive tackle Alim McNeill, and more.

TeSlaa may be the next great Holmes draft pick, and if so, he deserves all the credit in the world.

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