Isaac TeSlaa Is Detroit’s Deep-Ball Wild Card

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa is turning into a big-play option after a quiet start to the season.

TeSlaa caught four of eight targets for a career-high 95 yards in Sunday night’s 32-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers. His biggest play was a 57-yard catch from Jared Goff that set up a third-quarter field goal. TeSlaa credited Carolina’s attention to Detroit’s top receivers. “All I had to do was beat the corner,” he said.

He also had the ball on the Lions’ final offensive play. Facing fourth-and-13 from their own 10-yard line after a sack, Goff checked the ball down to TeSlaa, who was stopped one yard short of the first down. Carolina then ran out the clock. TeSlaa said he was simply the only receiver open on a short route.

He posted that performance one week after catching three passes for 66 yards in a 31-24 win over the New York Jets. Those two games account for 161 of his 187 receiving yards this season. He had no catches on one target in the opener against New Orleans and two catches for 26 yards in Week 2 against Buffalo.

His playing time jumped as well. TeSlaa played 58 of Detroit’s 71 offensive snaps against Carolina, an 82% share and his largest of the season. He played 31 snaps, fewer than half, the week before. Part of the increase came from a reduced role for tight end Brock Wright, who dropped from 38 snaps to 25. Detroit also spent most of the night in three-receiver sets, calling 54 pass plays and 17 runs while chasing the Panthers. That game script may not repeat every week, so his snap share could dip in games where the Lions play with a lead.

TeSlaa still has plenty of competition for targets. Jameson Williams played 99% of the snaps against Carolina, Amon-Ra St. Brown played 96%, and Sam LaPorta played 79%. Jahmyr Gibbs is also heavily involved in the offense.

TeSlaa has just nine catches on 17 targets this season, but he is averaging 20.8 yards per reception. His eight targets against Carolina were a season high.

DFS outlook

Detroit visits the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Arizona has lost three straight games and allowed 103 points during that stretch, including 36 to San Francisco and 36 to the New York Giants. A shootout environment would give TeSlaa more chances to hit on the deep shots that have defined his recent production.

He profiles as a contrarian tournament play in DFS rather than a cash-game option. His volume is still too limited to count on, but his big-play ability gives him a ceiling that can pay off at a lower salary. In deeper season-long leagues, Isaac TeSlaa fantasy managers can view him as a speculative add whose role is trending in the right direction.