Jahlani

Tavai

Tavai’s base money in the new deal is $15 million with $6 million in incentives. Tavai, a former second round draft pick by the Lions, had career highs in tackles (110) and tackles for loss (5) in 2023. He’s entering his fourth season with the Patriots.

The core special teamer has started the last seven games and is a Matt Patricia favorite from his time in Detroit. Tavai has had by far his best season in New England, but he’s essentially a run-downs only player.

The Lions are pulling the plug on their 2019 second round draft pick out of Hawaii. Tavai, 24, missed the the end of the 2019 season with the same shoulder injury that cost him his senior season at Hawaii. He started ten games in 2020 and was expected to see more playing time this year with Jarrad Davis gone. He’s a good bet to take on a rotational role with another team.

The Lions hope the lower weight will get Tavai to play faster in new DC Aaron Glenn’s scheme. Tavai, who started 10 games last year, is in line for an expanded role with Jarrad Davis gone. The 2019 fifth-rounder played over 50% of snaps as a rotational player his first two seasons.

It’s reportedly the same shoulder that sidelined Tavai for most of his senior season at Hawaii. The team has yet to determine whether his recovery will extend into the offseason program. The second-rounder finishes his rookie year with six starts over 15 appearances, impressively stacking 57 tackles and two sacks as an obvious defensive cog for the franchise moving forward.

Reporter Dave Birkett expects Tavai to feature in a “variety of roles.” So far, Tavai has run in both the middle and outside, as well as the “stack” linebacker spot. Coach Matt Patricia indeed appears ready to use Tavai as a versatile Kyle Van Noy type. Tavai has been earning consistent media hype.

Tavai (6’2/250) was a four-year starter in the Rainbows’ linebacker corps, spending his final three in the middle and graduating with 41 career TFLs, 17.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles, only to suffer a year-ending shoulder injury eight games into 2018. Tavai’s recovery limited his pre-draft workouts, but his tape shows a physical throwback off-ball linebacker with flashes of run-thumping dominance and edge-rushing impact. Also capable in coverage despite his plus size, Tavai was compared to a poor man’s Leighton Vander Esch by Athletic draft guru Dane Brugler. Matt Patricia likely will use tavai similarly to how the Patriots used Kyle Van Noy.

Tavai (6’2/250) was a four-year starter in the Rainbows’ linebacker corps, spending his final three in the middle and graduating with 41 career TFLs, 17.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles, only to suffer a year-ending shoulder injury eight games into 2018. Tavai’s recovery limited his pre-draft workouts, but his tape shows a physical throwback off-ball linebacker with flashes of run-thumping dominance and edge-rushing impact. Also capable in coverage despite his plus size, Tavai was compared to a poor man’s Leighton Vander Esch by Athletic draft guru Dane Brugler. Matt Patricia likely will use tavai similarly to how the Patriots used Kyle Van Noy.

Tavai (6'2/250) is Brugler’s favorite sleeper in the draft, and Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy has sung his praises as well. Brugler continued by calling the Rainbow Warrior a “modern day LB” with “three-down, inside-out versatility.” A perceived riser this pre-draft process, Tavai is considered to be a 3rd Round prospect with an outside chance of sneaking into Round 2.

One of our sneaky-favorite prospects in this class, Tavai comes equipped with palatable size at 6-foot-2, 250 pounds. And he is one tough, physical hombre. Alas, the Hawaii standout has been unable to take part in the evaluating process to any serious degree this spring due to his ongoing recovery from shoulder surgery. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller ranks Tavai as his No. 8 linebacker in the class.