One of the big stories to watch during the upcoming organized team activities, or OTAs, in Detroit is the status of linebacker Jahlani Tavai. The third-year LB has not shown much NFL ability in his first two seasons under ex-coach Matt Patricia since being a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
Now the Lions are transitioning to a divergent scheme that relies even more on speed and reaction quickness with the inside LBs under new head coach Dan Campbell and coordinator Aaron Glenn. Tavai’s inability to consistently be in the right place at the right time was an issue in Patricia’s more power-based scheme, so the transition to something that relies even less upon his size and power would seem to indicate real issues for Tavai on the new-look Lions.
Yet it might not be so cut and dry.
In his press conference last week, new LBs coach Mark DeLeone certainly seemed to think there’s a future in Detroit for Tavai.
“I’ve been really impressed with Jahlani,” DeLeone said. “He’s been here, he’s been doing a great job. He’s in really good shape right now and I’m excited to work with him, I’m excited to get to OTAs and be able to continue with him. I’m really excited about him.”
Part of the excitement could come from the work Tavai is putting into transforming his body and his game.
Tavai has posted several workout videos and pictures to his Instagram stories this offseason, showing a leaner build and working on improving his agility and quickness. That’s promising because those two qualities have been sorely missing from the Hawaii native in his first two years in Detroit.
Even so, the team drafted Derrick Barnes at Tavai’s exact position and also signed free agent Alex Anzalone, a lither player with experience under Campbell and Glenn. Tavai might need to prove himself indispensable on special teams to have enough value to stick as a reserve in Detroit. Otherwise the try-hard LB might be worth more as a trade chip — likely a future 6th/7th round pick — than as the No. 4 or No. 5 off-ball LB in a defense that will almost never play more than two of them at any one time.
Tavai will have to prove himself quickly to the new coaching staff. It appears he will get the chance, and he deserves it. But Tavai capitalizing on the opportunity and sticking in Detroit is no sure bet.
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