The Detroit Lions selected Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai with the 43rd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Tavai is a bit of a surprising pick this early, but there’s no denying he is a very good player. He is an aggressive, physical thumper who has a compact, six-foot-two and 250-pound frame. He’s an instinctive linebacker who can diagnose plays well, and he has a high motor.
Though not a fantastic athlete, he is a hard-hitting tackler who offers a lot of value in run support.
The Lions entered the draft with a big need at linebacker, and they found a potential long-term starter in Tavai. He joins a front seven that has the likes of Trey Flowers and Damon Harrison on it.
