A too early review of the Detroit Lions 2019 draft class

While some questioned the Lions pick of T.J. Hockenson, no one can question the potential he has to make a difference immediately in the run game as a blocker. He will grow into his role as a receiving threat. But I would be completely surprised if he is even close to a bust.

Hockenson has the best hands of all the tight ends in the draft and quite frankly they are more reliable than the majority of the wideouts in this draft as well. We need to be patient, but we shouldn’t have to be too patient. The lights will go on sooner rather than later for T.J.

The real shocker was the Lions second-round pick; Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai.

If you’re being honest, you most likely had never heard of Tavai. Therefore when your jaw dropped and you said, ‘who?’ You weren’t alone.

But if we breakdown who Tavai is and what he has accomplished, he is an intriguing prospect. I’m not sure he had second-round value, but he is a big linebacker that has a high motor, plays sideline to sideline and is a tackling machine.

He is probably one of the better players that no one has heard of from last years college football season. Will he become a star? No can say for sure, but this much I can say, when Bob Quinn pulled players from other teams trash heaps or robbed the Giants for some dominant ‘Snacks’, to get players that fit Patricia’s defense, it got much better. Tavai is a player built to play in Patricia’s defense.

I personally think Jahlani Tavai was picked too high, but I will not be disappointed if he proves me wrong. Most likely no other Lions fans will be upset if they’re proven wrong either.

Third round pick, safety Will Harris, is an exciting prospect. He has speed and range and hits like a locomotive. What is it about the third round and safeties for the Lions? Last year’s selection, Tracy Walker, had a productive rookie campaign and combined with Quandre Diggs and now Harris, they have a versatile and hard-hitting core for their deep secondary.

Just like every other player the Lions or any other team drafted, Harris will need to prove himself. But the possibilities are certainly interesting.