Isaac TeSlaa showed that he can be a lot like the former Lions receiver Detroit has been dying to replicate, maybe even better

In March of 2024, the Detroit Lions lost out on Josh Reynolds when he signed with the Denver Broncos in free agency. It was a big blow to the Lions' offense because this was their chunk play guy. Josh Reynolds didn't get the targets that Amon-Ra St. Brown got or the targets that Jameson Williams got, but when he caught the ball, it was a big play and a first down.

In fact, Reynolds caught 40 passes in 2023, and 32 of them were for first down. This is what the Lions have been wanting to replicate since then. Tim Patrick gave Detroit a version of that in 2024, but the Lions really want someone who can make plays and can be similar to Reynolds and maybe bring a little more ot the table.

On Thursday night, we got a glimpse of that from third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa. He only had two catches on the night, but both were big. He racked up 46 yards and was largely wide open. These weren't contested catches like Reynolds or Patrick often made. These were solid routes that got him wide open, and then he followed it up with yards after the catch. That's the dream right there for John Morton.

It's one preseason game, and he still has to keep showing it. Right now, he's behind Patrick on the depth chart, and that's to be expected this early. But he has a chance to get out there on the field and make something happen this season. I still wouldn't be shocked if he jumped Patrick by the end of camp.