Tag: nfl draft

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’ 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.’’

Lions draft DT Tyleik Williams of Ohio State in first round

ALLEN PARK — Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams’ versatility and knowledge of the game made him the perfect target for the Lions with the 28th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

The 6-foot-3, 334-pound Williams, who played at Ohio State, started 13 games for the 2024 national champions with 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks.

“We’ve been watching him for a really long time, he’s played a lot of football there at a very consistent level,’’ Lions GM Brad Holmes said. “He has a lot of traits and qualities that we’re looking for. He’s going to fit right in here like a glove. We spent a lot of time with him in the process leading up to this we were very very impressed.’’

Williams joins a defensive tackle group that includes Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo and Pat O’Connor. McNeill might not be available to start the season after tearing his ACL in December. His possible absence could provide an opening for Williams to see immediate playing time.

“They definitely explained I could be a key piece of the defense, so it  was definitely in the back of my mind it was definitely a spot I could land,’’ Williams said on a conference call.

Holmes said Willilams reminds him of McNeill who he drafted in the third round in 2021.

“I don’t want to call him a mirror image, but I think he’s a lot like the guy we have now in Alim, in terms of being able to catch an edge, rush with power, have instincts, he’s got quickness, he can counter,’’ Holmes said. “I know his pass rushing stats aren’t off the chart when you watch the tape you see it.’’

The Lions have one pick in Round 2 (60th), one in Round 3 (102nd), one in Round 4 (130th), one in Round 6 (196th) and two in Round 7 (228th and 244th).

(The NFL draft’s second and third rounds are set for Friday at 7 p.m. Rounds 4-7 will start at noon on Saturday.)