The Detroit Lions are serious about upgrading their linebacking corps, and they went about doing so Friday in unexpected fashion.
The Lions took linebacker Jahlani Tavai with the 11th pick of the second round of the NFL draft, passing on several notable defensive backs in the process including LSU's Greedy Williams and Michigan State's Justin Layne.
Tavai made 82 tackles in eight games at Hawaii last season, but missed the end of the season with a shoulder injury.
Tavai did not take part in testing drills at the NFL combine in March or his pro day because of the injury, though he did do position drills at pro day.
Former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush told the Free Press on Wednesday that the Lions told him during a visit to Allen Park that they projected him as a middle linebacker in their system, and that could provide a clue as to how they plan to use Tavai.
Jarrad Davis, the Lions' first-round pick in 2017, had six sacks and a team-high 100 tackles last season, but the team may want to use him more as an outside linebacker to take advantage of his skills as a pass rusher.
Tavai played outside linebacker as a freshman at Hawaii, and middle linebacker the last three seasons.
The Lions have one more pick Friday, No. 88 overall in the third round, the choice acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in last year's Golden Tate trade.
