Category: NFL

Lions move up to draft WR Isaac TeSlaa in the third round

TeSlaa grew up in western Michigan as a Lions fan

ALLEN PARK — The Lions traded up 32 spots in the third round Friday night to draft wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who grew up in Hudsonville as a Lions fan.

In fact, he showed up at his pre-draft visit to the Lions wearing a Lions No. 10  Lions jersey with his own name across the back. This was a head-scratcher for GM Brad Holmes until he heard TeSlaa’s explanation that he had it since eighth grade and couldn’t imagine a better time to wear it. 

Of course, that is not why he was drafted at 70th overall.

“Saw him at the Senior Bowl and hadn’t watched his film yet. Just saw how he was in the team periods, his blocking, his size, he was just being a pest, he was pissing off the DB defenders,’’ Holmes said. “Obviously it made me want to completely watch the tape. You see a guy who’s a big, long, smooth strider, can accelerate, can run, he’s a hands catcher. Can play special teams and block, he can do a lot of things.’’

TeSlaa spent three seasons at Division II Hillsdale College before transferring to Arkansas in 2023. He’s a big receiver (6-4, 214 pounds)  who averaged 19.5 yards per catch in 2024 and ran a 4.3 in the 40 at the Combine where he opened more than a few eyes.

The Lions have a solid wide receiver group that includes Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but TeSlaa will add youth and another target for new offensive coordinator John Morton. 

TeSlaa played mostly at slot in 2024 but Holmes said he has the tools to play outside.

“Obviously it’s been not only a dream to play in the NFL but to play for my hometown team, the team I’ve been rooting for since I was a baby,’’ TeSlaa said on a conference call. “So it’s an incredible feeling I’m ready to get to work, get to the facility and put the work in.’’

Holmes said that TeSlaa and right guard Tate Ratledge, who was drafted in the second round, were identified early in the process.

Lions trade up, add to O-line by drafting Tate Ratledge in 2nd round

ALLEN PARK — About a year ago, Tate Ratledge had a massive lion tattooed on his right forearm. 

“The lions are the king of the jungle for a reason—  just their mentality, their attitude and how they go about their life,’’ said Ratledge who compared that to his approach to living.

The tatt took on new meaning when he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round (57th overall) on Friday night. GM Brad Holmes traded up two picks to grab the right guard who played at Georgia.

“It was out of nowhere, I could even process what was going on when I got the call. This means the world to me, it means the world to my family, every sacrifice they’ve made to help me get here,’’ Ratledge said on a conference call shortly after the pick. 

“I couldn’t ask for a better team, a better situation, to go to,’’ Ratledge added. “I’ve always been a fan of coach Campbell and the way he runs this program, what he has to say, how he runs the team, the O-line  … I feel it’s a great fit.’’

Ratledge, who turns 24 on Saturday, started 36 games at right guard in the last three seasons allowing just two sacks. At this year’s NFL Combine he finished first in athleticism. 

The Lions have an opening at right guard after Kevin Zeitler left in free agency.

Last season Ratledge was voted third-team Associated Press All-American and  first-team All-SEC. He played in 10 games with nine starts at right guard. He also takes pride in being a “dirt bag” type of player on the field.

ESPN’s Matt Miller’s post-draft analysis included: “If you asked before the draft what an ideal pick would be for Detroit in Round 2, this would have been the answer. Ratledge is an easy-moving right guard with big-time power on the point of impact in the run game. He also has the recovery agility to hold up in pass protection.’ … Ratledge will certainly see the field as a rookie with his impressive toughness and experience.’’

Ratledge also would compete for the best mullett on any football team. He said it started as a joke during COVID when his dad cut it in the front yard. He’s just stayed with it.

Lions’ new DT Tyleik Williams draws big praise from his Ohio State coach

Detroit drafted Williams 28th overall in first round

ALLEN PARK — Tyleik Williams, who played four seasons at Ohio State, learned to hate Michigan. Afterall, it was all a part of the program. But on Friday, he seemed genuinely happy to be standing in the Wolverine State wearing a Detroit Lions hat. 

Williams, a defensive tackle, was the Lions first-round pick (28th overall) in the NFL draft on Thursday night. 

“It’s definitely crazy. I’ve learned to hate this state for the last four years. I’m just happy I can put that all behind me,’’ Williams said when introduced to Detroit on Friday at the Lions facility.

A self-professed film junkie, Williams’ work ethic seems unquestionable. More proof? When he showed up at Ohio State as a freshman, he tipped the scales at 360-ish. He blames COVID and just plain overeating. But with the help of a nutritionist and putting in the hard work, he was able to get down to 317. 

“I would say I was born with it, the work ethic has been with me my whole life. I think in college I had a great support staff around me who helped elevate that,’’ Williams said.

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson knows Williams well. He is a huge fan. 

“Two things off the bat, his initial quickness off the ball and for a big guy to be able to bend and turn corners like he does. It’s unprecedented. You saw him do that very easily,’’ Johnson said in a conference call on Friday.

“I think the thing that separates Tyleik from anybody else is his football IQ. He’s really brilliant and he’s picking up technique, he’s picking up signals from the line of scrimmage. I think that’s his advantage. He’s really smart, he studied video tape and it makes him separate himself from most guys I’ve coached,’’ Johnson added.

When asked to compare Williams to NFL defensive tackles, Johnson said he sees similarities to Aaron Donald, one of the best NFL defensive linemen ever, in the way they both move.

“Don’t get me wrong, I understand he’s not Aaron Donald, but his movement skills, being able to change direction. I think Tyleik has the same kind of moves,’’ Johnson said. “He can go power or he can go finesse up the field, if given the opportunity. But Aaron Donald is in a league by himself. I don’t want to put that pressure on Tyleik going into the league that he’s Aaron Donald. There are some things that Aaron Donald does real easy and Tyleik has the same kind of movement skills. Aaron Donald is a really special player. I don’t think there are many guys like him.’’

Along with Williams’ size (6-3, 334), ability and drive, he seems a perfect match for the Lions who are big on character. 

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard had to be one of the happiest guys in Detroit after the pick.

“Coach Shep, I just met him and I already love him. He’s a high-energy guy, he tells me how much he loves my game and how I play and how I can help the team,’’ Williams said. “You need a guy like that in your corner.’’

He brought five family members with him to the Lions facility on Friday afternoon.

“Why I play the game is for my family, my wife, taking care of them and doing the thing I wanted to do is football,’’ Williams said “I think family is what drives me, knowing I have them in my corner. If I’m sad or something I always have someone to lean on they’re not going to sugarcoat anything, they’re going to tell me how it is.’’