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Detroit Lions: Jahlani Tavai’s size impressing early at OTAs

By Steven Mullenax

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Nate Starks #23 of the UCLA Bruins hangs on to the ball to complete a 39 yard pass play before he is stopped by Jahlani Tavai #31 of the Hawaii Warriors in the first half of the game at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Nate Starks #23 of the UCLA Bruins hangs on to the ball to complete a 39 yard pass play before he is stopped by Jahlani Tavai #31 of the Hawaii Warriors in the first half of the game at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions received a ton of criticism due to their second-round selection of Jahlani Tavai. But will the Motor City have the last laugh?

When the Detroit Lions opted to draft another first-round tight end in T.J. Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Motor City fans were obviously worried. And rightfully so. The last time Detroit selected a tight end with a top-ten pick it didn’t turn out well.

Then the Lions kicked off Day Two by selecting Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai in the second round. NFL.com Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein projected Tavai as a Day Three selection, falling somewhere between the fourth and fifth rounds.

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And in Tavai’s case, head coach Matt Patricia. The former New England Patriots defensive coordinator covets large linebackers. At 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, the former Rainbow Warrior has the NFL frame and the attributes Detroit was looking for.

With rumors that other teams, including the Patriots, were interested in picking Tavai in the second round, the Lions opted to draft the Hawaii product 43rd overall regardless of the projections and inevitable naysayers.

Lions linebacker coach Al Golden believes Tavai is a good fit for the team’s diverse defensive scheme. Golden also believes the rookie linebacker has the ability to play on or off the ball, possesses the versatility to play multiple spots and has the size to go up against today’s taller tight ends and tackles.

During his time at Hawaii, Tavai averaged nearly 100 tackles per season (390 total), recorded a combined 41.0 tackles for loss and registered 16.5 sacks.

So how has Tavai looked early on in Detroit? Here’s what DetroitLions.com’s Mike O’Hara wrote about the second round rookie during his Week Two OTAs observations.

"“Linebackers coach Al Golden wasn’t exaggerating when he said earlier in the week that size was one factor that attracted the Lions to second-round pick Jahlani Tavai. Tavai looked bigger than his listed height and weight of 6-2, 250 when he lined up wide to the right against veteran tight end Jesse James in a passing drill.”"

Next. Lions draft picks - Good, Bad, and Ugly since 2010. dark

Whether they want to admit it or not, the Detroit Lions overreached for a player they loved. It’s hard to fault them for that. But if Jahlani Tavai fails to live up to his lofty draft status, it will be another black mark against general manager Bob Quinn who has a history of drafted duds in the second round (see: Teez Tabor).

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