Holmes Goes All-In on TeSlaa: The Price of Swinging for the Fences
Brad Holmes has never met a bold move he didn’t like, and last offseason he proved it again by launching three third-round picks at Jacksonville like confetti. The target? Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who the Lions snatched at pick 72 after moving up 30 spots in what can only be described as a classic Holmes power play.
The math was simple and expensive. Detroit shipped out their original third-rounder at 102, plus two 2026 third-rounders to Jacksonville. In return, they got TeSlaa, a sixth-rounder, and another sixth-round pick for this year’s draft.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Three third-rounders for one receiver sounds like the kind of move that either looks brilliant in three years or haunts us forever.
What Detroit Got for Their Investment
TeSlaa landed exactly where you’d expect a rookie receiver to land in this offense. Fourth on the depth chart behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Kalif Raymond, which honestly isn’t terrible company.
His rookie numbers tell the story of a role player finding his spots: 16 catches for 239 yards and six touchdowns. Those six touchdowns are doing some heavy lifting in the stat line, but that red zone presence was exactly why Holmes moved up to grab him.
The highlight-reel catches were there. The deep threat flashes showed up. Now he’s slated to be the number three receiver in 2026, which means more opportunities and more chances to prove that trade was worth it.
Meanwhile, in Jacksonville
The Jaguars did what smart teams do with extra picks. They flipped Detroit’s 102nd overall selection to Minnesota, moving up to grab guard Wyatt Milum. Then they used their 81st overall pick to select defensive tackle Albert Regis from Texas A&M and their 100th overall pick on Maryland safety Jalen Huskey.
Three solid picks for three solid picks. Nothing flashy, nothing that screams franchise-changing, but steady roster building that would make any front office look competent.
The Verdict So Far
Holmes overpaid by every trade value chart in existence, and everyone knew it at the time. The question was never about the price tag. It was about whether TeSlaa could grow into the kind of receiver that makes you forget what you gave up to get him.
One year in, we’re still waiting for that answer. Six touchdown catches as a rookie is encouraging, especially in an offense that doesn’t lack for targets. His size in the red zone gives the Lions something they didn’t have before.
But let’s be honest about what this was. This was Holmes betting big on a player he believed could be a difference-maker, consequences be damned. In Allen Park, that’s either visionary or reckless, depending on how the next few seasons play out.
So was this another Holmes masterclass or did we just mortgage our draft capital for a decent role player? Drop your brutal honesty below.
