The Detroit Lions' big swing move in the 2025 NFL draft was to trade up for wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa out of Arkansas, a questionable move considering the rookie hadn't been very targeted with the Razorbacks in 2024 nor had he been on many teams' radars headed into the 2025 draft.
But, he's here. He'll be likely utilized as a blocker on most plays, and likely as a trickster playmaker in Dan Campbell's universe of trick play calls. He's big, athletic, and has solid hands, so he should carve a role in the Lions' offense if he works at it. It'll make the trade up far more digestible if he does.
However, the Lions were outshined in terms of trade ups during the draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Not only did they take linebacker Jalon Walker at 15th overall in the 1st round, but they traded back up to snag James Pearce Jr. off the board at 26th overall. All of a sudden, Atlanta has a scarily young and athletic pass rush.
It's the type of draft that Lions fans could've only dreamed of seeing from Detroit, especially since they really could have used Pearce, for example, to pair up alongside Aidan Hutchinson in their pass rush. Alas, the Falcons decided to get greedy, and now the Lions get to bear the brunt of that immediately in the preseason.
Atlanta squaring off with Detroit in preseason bout
The Falcons will be hosting the Lions on August 8th at 7 p.m. EST, where both teams are likely to trot out their respective rookies. Ahmed Hassanein, who the Lions selected in the 6th round of the draft, will probably get some burn at pass rush and will compete with Pearce and Walker for bragging rights in this contest.
Both Walker and Pearce would have been the ideal pass rushers to add to the Lions' defense, but both were always going to be a bit out of reach for Detroit in the draft. Atlanta had to give up a haul just to nab Pearce - a first rounder in 2026 to the Los Angeles Rams in addition to a 2nd round and 7th round pick in 2025.
That was always going to be too rich for Lions GM Brad Holmes' blood. But, it'll be just a tad bittersweet to see what could've been with Pearce, at least, with Detroit. Hopefully, Hassanein can prove us all wrong and show out in preseason and the regular season.
