NFL analysts really liked one Detroit Lions pick from Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. The other… not so much.
If immediate fan reaction was any indication, the Detroit Lions’ moves on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft were about as polarizing as you can get. While many praised the selection of Georgia guard Tate Ratledge in the first round—82% of Pride of Detroit readers gave it an “A” —fans were clearly not as enthusiastic for Detroit’s pick (and significant trade up) of Arkansas receiver Isaac TeSlaa—58% of Pride of Detroit readers gave it a C or lower .
When we look at the national perspective of the Lions’ Day 2 picks, it’s very similar. Here are some Day 2 NFL Draft grades, ranked by highest to lowest, starting with Ratledge.
Tate Ratledge draft grades
This is SUCH a Lions pick. Ratledge has shorter arms and is coming off an ankle injury, but he has a nasty demeanor and the power to affect the run game. He’s also a perfect fit for the culture in Detroit, and is a guy Dan Campbell probably loves.
Sports Illustrated (Matt Vanderame): A
Ratledge has the potential of being one of the better guards in this class partly because of his mean streak. He consistently latched onto his defenders while at Georgia, especially in the run game. His physicality likely turned Lions coach Dan Campbell into one of his biggest supporters.
The Athletic (Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman): A
This is a Dan Campbell pick, which is why the Lions moved up three spots to make it. A prototypical interior power performer, Ratledge fought through injuries to start 37 games at Georgia. He’s a sneaky athletic, plug-and-play guard and will fit seamlessly with the Lions
The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer): A
The Lions needed to think about the near future inside with Kevin Zeitler gone and Graham Glasgow fading. He is a powerful person-mover with underrated athleticism to get downfield in blocking.
NFL.com (Chad Reuter): Total Day 2 grade — B+
The loss of Kevin Zeitler in free agency pushed the Lions to grab Ratledge in the second round. The 6-foot-6 mauler plays with surprising leverage for his size and brings the attitude the Lions desire up front.
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso): B+
Dan Campbell gets a tall yet explosive and decently flexible guard to pulverize in the run game. Can tell he was well-coached with his hand placement. Times of being overaggressive, leaning to lunges. Has to sink his pad level more frequently. But big OGs with his explosiveness don’t grow on trees, and Lions made good choice to add more to elite blocking unit.
USA Today (Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz): B+
Good marriage of value and need here for Detroit. An interior offensive line on slightly uncertain ground after Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free agency gets revitalized with Ratledge, who is solid to the core in both pass protection and the run game.
Yahoo Sports (Charles McDonald): B-
He’s got tricks. Coming into the season, he was Georgia’s highest projected o-line talent, but injuries set him back. At his best, he projects to be a starter, but it’s hard to gauge because he was so banged up.
The Lions beef up their already stellar offensive line with three-year starter Ratledge. He fits Detroit’s style as a powerful downhill blocker who also shows good, light feet in pass protection. Ratledge allowed just two sacks over three years and gave up only seven total pressures in his senior season. His 77.3 pass-blocking grade ranked above the 70th percentile nationally.
Isaac TeSlaa draft grades
NFL.com (Chad Reuter): Total Day 2 grade — B+
Detroit gave up two 2026 third-round picks for a couple of sixth-rounders this year to trade up for TeSlaa , an athletic and intelligent pass catcher. Clearly, the Lions are willing to give up picks and jump the board for their guys. We’ll see if TeSlaa turns out to be significantly better than Jaylin Noel, Savion Williams, Tai Felton and other receivers who were available at that time.
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso): B-
Scintillating big slot with elite-testing figures that pop on film. Will routinely go up and get it down the seam and plays to his towering frame. Knows how to find space in zone and accelerates dynamically out of his breaks. Minimal YAC. Sent two RD3 picks in this trade up, which made it clear overpayment on draft pick trade chart. Nonetheless, an intriguing specimen for Jared Goff.
Yahoo Sports (Charles McDonald): B-
A Michigan native who tested off the charts athletically, which didn’t match his production on the field. He’s a big body for the WR room who can block too, which he’ll have to do as a Lion.
The Athletic (Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman): C+
This is a pretty classic Brad Holmes pick. The Lions gave up a lot (No. 102 plus two 2026 third-round picks for this pick, No. 182 and a 2026 sixth-rounder) to move up for one of the biggest receivers. The fear is that TeSlaa was a better tester than a performer — he never caught more than 34 passes in Power Four action. Detroit also still hasn’t selected an edge.
USA Today (Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz): C+
The upside for a 6-4, 214-pounder is immense, as TeSlaa can pluck passes over the heads of smaller defensive backs downfield. But he still has a long way to go on his development, and he might be relegated to a big slot role at the next level.
The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer): C
There was nothing wrong with the Lions targeting a big body who can line up either inside or outside, but they gave up a lot for a player they could have had in the middle of or late on Day 3. TeSlaa can make big plays but he needs a lot of work on routes and separation.
I’m really curious about this one. TeSlaa is big, fast, and showed some nice things on tape despite a terrible passing offense, but lack of production and inconsistent ability to separate on the outside really concern me. He also is a good blocker, making him a fit for what the Lions want out of their receivers. Getting him here feels like a massive reach, though.
Sports Illustrated (Matt Vanderame): C-
The Lions rarely shy away from adding skill players, even with Ben Johnson now in Chicago. TeSlaa appears to be a reach pick in the third round, but he’s an enticing prospect due to his impressive athleticism and knack for tracking the football.
PFF (entire staff): Below average
TeSlaa is a big-bodied wide receiver at 6-foot-4 and 217 pounds who can help round out the Lions ’ wide receiver room. The Arkansas product is a sure-handed receiver who didn’t drop a pass in 2024. His size, explosiveness and sure hands give him a starting-caliber ceiling as a “big slot” option with developmental upside.