After addressing a big need in the first round with the selection of tight end T.J. Hockenson No. 8 overall, general manager Bob Quinn opened Day 2 of the NFL Draft by taking care of a need on the other side of the ball with the selection of Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai in the second round (No. 43 overall).
Tavai is a big linebacker (6-2, 250), and fits the mold of what Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia started bringing into their linebacker room last year with players like Devon Kennard and Christian Jones.
In Tavai, the Lions have acquired a tackle machine.
He was a first-team All-Mountain West pick in 2016, starting all 14 games and leading the conference with 19.5 tackles for loss, 129 total tackles and seven sacks. He ranked 10th in the FBS with 124 tackles and led Hawaii with 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a junior in 2017.
Tavai missed the opening game this past season due to a suspension, and missed the final four games due to a shoulder injury, but still finished with 82 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked kick in eight starts.
“I want fans to know that I’m going to play every down I can, I’m going to hustle to the ball and show that I’m giving 110 percent on every down,” Tavai said in a conference call after his selection. “I’m going to be that guy that they’re looking for.”
Tavai moved around as a chess piece in Hawaii’s defense due to his size, which seems to fit the multiple scheme the Lions deploy.
“I'm not sure, from what I know, inside backer was my primary position, so I believe that’s going to be where Day 1 starts,” he said. “I love this (Detroit) defense because you never know what they’re running in. From the film I’ve watched, they stunt a lot and I love that they bring pressure on the quarterback.”
View photos of linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
Hawaii Warriors linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Hawaii won 34-27 in double overtime. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Photo by: Jay Metzger / University of Hawaii Athletics
Photo by: Jay Metzger / University of Hawaii Athletics
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai poses for a headshot during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Friday, Mar. 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Nevada's James Butler runs past Hawaii defender Jahlani Tavai in an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) keeps his eyes on the football before making an interception in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai, front left, watches as Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion (6) throws a pass during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai, left, intercepts a pass intended for San Jose State wide receiver Rahshead Johnson (8) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Honolulu. Hawaii defensive back Kalen Hicks (16) looks on during the play. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Wyoming wide receiver Austin Conway dodges a tackle from Hawaii linebackers Jeremiah Pritchard (10) and Jahlani Tavai (31) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Laramie, Wyo., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Shannon Broderick)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) tries to pull down Western Carolina quarterback Tyrie Adams (12) as he runs through the Hawaii defense during the first quarter of the NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai, left, tackles UNLV quarterback Dalton Sneed during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
FILE - In this Oct. 22, 2016, file photo, Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai leads his teammates in the team's traditional haka, or war cry, after defeating Air Force 34-27 in double overtime in an NCAA college football game at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Nevada quarterback Tyler Stewart runs for the endzone against Hawaii defenders Jahlani Tavai, center, and Malachi Mageo in an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
Nevada running back James Butler (20) attempts to get past Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Wisconsin's Taiwan Deal tries to run between Hawaii's Jahlani Tavai (31) and Gaetano DeMattei during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) looks to tackle BYU running back Austin Kafentzis (2) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Wyoming running back Milo Hall (3) avoids a tackle from Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Laramie, Wyo., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Shannon Broderick)
UCLA running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs through Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) and linebacker Solomon Matautia (27) to score from the one-yard line during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. UCLA won 56-23. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) reaches out to tackle UNLV quarterback Dalton Sneed (18) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) looks over to the sideline in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai, left, tackles Air Force quarterback Nate Romine after a short run in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Hawaii won 34-27 in double overtime. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego State quarterback Christian Chapman, left, scrambles as Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) pressures during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Air Force running back Timothy McVey, right, tumbles into the end zone for a touchdown as offensive tackle James Rast, top left, clears a path past Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) and Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea (5) pressures Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Nevada running back James Butler, right, is slowed by Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) comes from behind to sack Fresno State quarterback Zack Greenlee (17) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) lines up for the next play against Nevada in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Nevada quarterback Tyler Stewart (15) escapes the grasp of Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai, right, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Photo by: Jay Metzger / University of Hawaii Athletics
Photo by: Jay Metzger / University of Hawaii Athletics
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Tavai missed the Combine in February and was limited at Hawaii’s pro day because of the shoulder injury.
He has an NFL frame, and averaged 10 tackles per game over the last three seasons. He’ll get an opportunity to compete for a role in Detroit’s defense.
