Isaac TeSlaa Could Be the Late-Round Flier You Actually Use
Look, we are a ways out from the actual season, but fantasy draft season is coming faster than you think. And if you are the kind of person who spends time reading Lions blogs in May, you are absolutely the kind of person who needs to start thinking about sleepers now.
The early rounds are easy. You know who the studs are. It is the late rounds where leagues are won and lost, and the Lions have a few names worth circling if you want to look smart when bye weeks roll around and everyone else is scrambling.
Isaac TeSlaa, Wide Receiver
This is the sleepiest of sleepers. If you reach for him early, you deserve whatever happens to you. But if you grab him late and stash him for the inevitable moment when bye weeks destroy your depth chart, TeSlaa might actually save your week.
He is going to see more targets in 2026. That much is obvious. And because of his size and contested catch ability, he should get plenty of looks in the red zone. That is where he helps you. Not as a weekly starter, but as the guy you plug in during a pinch who might actually find the end zone.
Isaiah Pacheco, Running Back
Do not expect David Montgomery numbers. Just do not. But if you are looking at a guy projected to run for over 500 yards and score five touchdowns, that is not nothing for a late-round pick. He is a flex play or a fill-in for two-running-back leagues when you need him.
He will not win you the league. But he might win you a game or two, and honestly that is more than you can say for most of the running backs still on the board in Round 10.
Tyler Conklin, Tight End
Speaking from experience here. I always focus on running backs, receivers, and quarterbacks early, grab one tight end, and then forget the position exists until Week 6 when someone gets hurt. It happens every year. I come in second place a lot.
Conklin is the guy you take in the very last round as insurance. He is your emergency tight end. Your break glass in case of injury option. Use him sparingly. Use him when you have no other choice. But at least you will have him.
Are you actually drafting Lions this deep or are you still scarred from the Calvin Johnson retirement years? Let me know in the comments.
