NFL Draft 2019 Day 2

And the excitement continues...

With the 43rd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft the Detroit Lions select... MLB Jahlani Tavai from Hawaii. Who, you may ask? Well, I had heard of him, even mocked him to the Lions a couple times in round 4 or 5 back in February until I did my research after the combine and realized I shouldn't have him on the draft board at all. So I stopped mocking him to the Lions completely. You see, Tavai is a player kind of like Devin White, who I thought the Lions might draft in round 1 and then play him in the middle moving Davis to the Van Noy position that the Patriots use. I never thought that they would have a backup for White in another round and that the player would be Tavai. White, who was drafted 5th overall by the Bucs, has an RAS score of 9.33 is 6 foot tall, weighs in at 237 pounds and runs a 4.42 forty. Tavai who was drafted 43rd overall by the Lions, has an RAS score of 4.14 (below average athlete) is 6' 2 3/8" tall, weighs in at 246 pounds and runs a 4.86 forty. I had Tavai ranked 108th (4th round), those I follow had him ranked 86 to 113th (3rd/4th round). Everyone had White ranked top 10 except PFF who has him at 12. So athletically Tavai is not the best backup option to White... especially not a 2nd round backup option.

So what does his film show? One draft board has this to say, which isn't all that far from what others I have read say...

OUTLOOK: For scouts to pay much attention to programs with a limited track of producing draft-worthy talent, players have to dominate. That is precisely what Tavai did over four seasons at Hawaii, leaving the program ranked second all-time in tackles despite missing the final six games of the season due to a shoulder injury which required surgery. A four-year starter with legitimate NFL size, athleticism and production, he's likely to hear his name called on Day Three, making him the first Rainbow Warrior defender to be drafted since the then-St. Louis Rams took a seventh round flyer on Aaron Brown in 2012.

PROS: Possesses a legitimate NFL frame with broad shoulders and good overall weight distribution, including a thick lower half. Quick to read run, showing good key and diagnosis skills to step up and take on hard-charging blockers in the hole. Extends his arms to keep blockers away from his frame, showing good length and strength to stay clean on his way to the ball. Balanced and agile to fight through traffic, showing at least average speed to the flanks. Good flexibility to dip under the reach of would-be blockers and is surprisingly fluid in scraping the corner. Core and hand strength show in his ability to fight off blocks and pull down ball-carriers while engaged. Athletic bloodlines. Two older brothers who also played D-I football, including J.R. Tavai, formerly from Southern Cal and the Tennessee Titans.

CONS: While possessing good speed for a linebacker of his size, Tavai shows just fair speed overall for the position, lacking ideal suddenness to close. More of a drag down 'rassler than a true striker, lacking the intimidation factor as a hitter that his size might suggest. Comes with character red flags that require investigating. Along with Hawaii teammate Kaiwi Chung, Tavai was arrested and charged with assault following an incident at a Honolulu nightclub.

Here is his highlights on youtube... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8_vOB9MQbk So he is a productive LB that should not technically be productive. That probably speaks for his football intelligence and his instincts and his ability to instantly process what is happening. Can he do that at the NFL level? That's the gamble. The Lions either drafted Devin White part II or they drafted a total draft bust. I'll just throw this out there, not what I would have done.

With the 81st overall pick in the 2019 draft the Detroit Lions select... S Will Harris from Boston College.

But the Lions didn't have the 81st pick, they traded for it. Detroit gave up its 3rd round pick, number 88 overall, as well as one of its 6th rounders, number 204 overall, in order to move up 7 spots with the division rival Minnesota Vikings.

So who is this guy they used their 3rd round AND their 6th round pick on? Well, I had Will Harris ranked 275, or a 7th round/undrafted grade. The Lions moved up 7 spots, presumably in order to draft ahead of the Patriots, who were drafting 87th over, one in front of the Lions. Would the Patriots select this guy in the 3rd round? I do not know, but the Lions must think so.

Now comes the interesting stuff. Will Harris has the absolute best RAS score of all the Strong Safeties in the draft. An elite score of 9.64. Good size, good explosion, elite speed and elite agility. At 6' 1" tall and 207 pounds he ran a 4.41 forty. Now that is impressive!

So what does his film show? Here is his highlight film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQAe7vN4wQw

Here is what one draft profile says:

OUTLOOK: With defensive-minded head coach Steve Addazio running the show, it should come as no surprise that Boston College has turned into a consistent producer of quality NFL defensive prospects. Harris is a bit of a throwback to a prior generation as a run-defending box safety. While his production and experience should not be ignored, Harris' lack of speed and agility in coverage could be exposed by the precision passing and explosiveness he'll face in the NFL

PROS: Looks the part of an NFL safety with an imposing frame. Plays to his size, routinely delivering physical hits to ball-carriers and showing zero hesitation when fighting through the mass of humanity near the line of scrimmage. Shows good awareness in pass coverage, anticipating routes and timing his hits well to break up passes or eliminate yard after catch opportunities. While lacking top speed, Harris diagnoses the action quickly, getting a jump on the ball to click and close. Excellent intangibles. Voted a team captain in 2018. Father, Will Harris, Sr., played wide out at Mississippi State (1989-92) and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills (seventh round).

CONS: Possesses just average straight-line speed for the position, lacking the second gear to recover when beaten in coverage or in pursuit. Exacerbating the issue, Harris needs to show improved timing when diving at ball-carriers running away from him, too often failing to trip them up before they leave him in their dust. Too often appears satisfied with allowing the reception and making the hit rather than going for the ball. Recorded one interception in 2018 and zero passes defended.

In other words, he has the tools, for the most part, and is old school, which would appeal to certain coaches, but needs exactly that, to be coached into NFL quality play. Apparently the Lions believe they can do that for him. I can't say if that will work out or not, but as the highest RAS score of all Strong Safeties, he has the tools to work with.

So even though I thought he was taken a day too soon in the draft, I can't really argue he shouldn't have been drafted. If the Lions know the Patriots were going there one pick before them, I can't blame them for giving up a 6th to a division rival to move ahead of the Patriots. But if they are wrong, this has the makings of a double negative in the ole report card.

The Lions have the best TE in the draft from day 1, the best athlete that plays strong safety in the draft, and a not so athletic middle linebacker that plays real hard (does the remind you of anyone? How about Chris Spielman?)

I hate this draft! I just might absolutely love this draft and proclaim it as one of the best of all time, maybe. Depends on these players and the coaches.