ALLEN PARK — Isaac TeSlaa comes in with an edge on his defenders.
The Detroit Lions’ rookie receiver is already making plenty of noise in preseason and throughout training camp, despite being part of an experienced and talented receiver group.
It’s not just the route running and his propensity to win 50/50 balls, but the energy he brings on the field and how he uses his size to be a blocker both on offense and special teams.
“That’s just always something I’ve prided myself in. I know I talk about my size a lot, but I can really use that to my advantage,” TeSlaa told reporters on Wednesday. “I don’t think there’s a (defensive back) that’s 6-foot-4, 215 (pounds), so I have the advantage size wise. As long as I use my leverage, use proper technique and know where the ball’s going, I can use that to my advantage.”
TeSlaa uses that added size to help his teammates produce and it’s catching the attention of the Lions’ coaches and players.
“I would say ever since we put pads on, he’s been trending this way. That’s a good sign is that you’re getting better with pads on than pajamas, so that was awesome,” coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “He’s doing well. He blocks on the perimeter, he’s making big catches over the top of people. He’s going up, his route detail is getting that much better.”
That skill has been on display in practice for weeks, but seeing TeSlaa do it at game speed has fed into the growing optimism around how quickly the Arkansas product can be a difference maker.
Beyond scoring his first NFL (preseason) touchdown last week against the Atlanta Falcons, he was all over the field making key plays like a block of fellow rookie Cobee Bryant to allow Tom Kennedy space along the outside for a first-down pickup.
TeSlaa’s intensity as a blocker isn’t new to the Michigan native. He’s seen at every level what being a sound and imposing blocker can do for an offense.
It’s also opening up more opportunities for TeSlaa as he’s a regular on special teams reps and earning favor from his teammates because of his commitment.
“That’s something I feel like as a young guy, us older players respect that,” All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said Wednesday. “That’s just telling us when he’s with us out there on Sundays, he’s going to put his life on the line, he’s going to go and block that safety.”
TeSlaa should be in action for the Lions’ third preseason game on Saturday against the Miami Dolphins, which will mark his return to Ford Field for the first time since winning the MHSAA Division 5 state title with Hudsonville Unity Christian in 2018.
While TeSlaa expressed his excitement to relive a great memory this weekend, he’s even more thrilled by the possibility of making new ones with the Lions.
As he continues to prove himself in practice and preseason, TeSlaa may be opening the door to play more meaningful snaps for Detroit as a rookie.
“He’s done great, he really has,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “A week or two ago you could kind of see the light bulb go off a little bit where the speed of the game, he’s started to catch up with and he’s starting to understand the physicality it takes. He certainly has a chance to have a role in our offense.”
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