Who Should I Start? Xavier Smith or Isaac TeSlaa

Monday, April 6, 5:39 AM

As a rookie in 2025, Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa caught six touchdowns on only 26 targets and 16 receptions, a touchdown rate almost ten times higher than the league average, and nearly double that of Davante Adams, who led the NFL with 14 touchdown grabs. While few are calling for a repeat of such outlandish efficiency in year two, some have labeled him as a potential breakout candidate on the hopes that increased volume could make him a less touchdown-reliant fantasy asset. However, TeSlaa has never been a target-earner. His 14% target share across two seasons at Arkansas ranked well behind several of his own teammates, and even with the Lions, he was regularly on the field for more than just gadget plays designed to find him in the end zone. His 296 routes run last season put him in the top 10 in his rookie class, while his 0.81 yards per route run trailed only Arian Smith, Konata Mumpfield, Dont'e Thornton Jr., and Gage Larvadain among rookies with at least 100 routes run. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta all figure to slot in ahead of TeSlaa in the target pecking order, and unless he can bank on a second outlier season, he will likely be little more than an occasional injury replacement in 2026.