Every NFL season brings with it an unexpected name that sparks conversation among fantasy football circles. For the Detroit Lions, that name is Isaac Teslaa. While he may not yet be a household name, Teslaa is shaping up as one of the most intriguing stash players in fantasy football, a hidden gem that savvy managers are already circling.
Through two weeks of the season, Teslaa has logged just one catch in each game. That doesn’t sound like much on paper, but the manner of those catches has drawn attention across the league. His debut featured a dazzling, one-handed touchdown grab over a Green Bay defender, an acrobatic highlight that immediately made social media rounds. A week later, against the Chicago Bears, Teslaa came up huge before halftime, hauling in a deep ball that flipped momentum in Detroit’s favor—one touch per game, two unforgettable plays. Simply put, when the ball finds Teslaa, fans stop what they’re doing.
Dan Campbell’s Guy
Ask anyone inside the Lions’ building, and they’ll tell you one thing: Dan Campbell loves Isaac Teslaa. Detroit’s head coach isn’t shy about his admiration, and you can see why. The Lions didn’t stumble into drafting him, they prioritized him. To get Teslaa in the third round, Detroit packaged multiple Day 3 picks and even parted ways with a future second-rounder in a draft-day deal that raised some eyebrows. But Campbell and GM Brad Holmes saw something others didn’t: a rare size-speed combination and the mentality to thrive in their gritty offense.
At 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, Teslaa brings a physical presence to the Lions’ receiver room. Yet he isn’t just a jump-ball specialist. With a 4.43-second 40-yard dash during his Pro Day, he backs up that frame with legitimate burst. His college resume shows he wasn’t just a one-hit wonder either. Playing his final season at Missouri, Teslaa caught 69 passes for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns. Scouts knocked the level of competition, but the tape was undeniable. He won contested catches consistently, stretched the field, and played with the kind of edge Campbell covets.
Fantasy Outlook
In fantasy football, timing is everything. Right now, Teslaa is a wait-and-see option, but he’s also the kind of stash that can win a league. With Amon-Ra St. Brown commanding defenses’ primary attention, opportunities will soon open up for Teslaa. The Lions’ offensive staff has already hinted at a larger role, and Campbell himself suggested that Teslaa’s snaps will steadily increase as the season progresses.
If you play in deeper leagues, or if you want to beat the waiver-wire scramble that’s sure to come, now’s the time to act. Teslaa’s early highlight reel is just the appetizer. As the Lions expand his usage, his red-zone role and big-play potential make him an enticing fantasy swing worth taking.
Believe it when you hear it: Dan Campbell’s endorsement isn’t just coach-speak, it’s a signal. Isaac Teslaa isn’t just a rookie receiver trying to make a name for himself. He’s a stash player today… and quite possibly, a fantasy difference-maker tomorrow.
