Jahlani Tavai, Detroit Lions

This pick should have been T.J. Hockenson and barring a lengthy Matthew Stafford injury, it likely would have been. But with Stafford missing half the season and Hockenson struggling to adapt to a weaker quarterback group, Tavai became the strongest bright spot of the Lions’ 2019 class.

Mired by the weak play of incumbent starter Jarrad Davis at middle linebacker (whose 2021 option has already been declined), Tavai was given a chance to prove his worth; he turned in an impactful rookie season and likely will continue to do so in 2020.

Taken with the 43rd overall pick last season, the former University of Hawaii prospect played in 15 games last season while recording 58 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Given Davis’ struggles in pass coverage, Tavai’s versatility will be looked at as a potential future replacement at middle linebacker. And despite Davis starting nine more games than Tavai at the position, they were only separated by five tackles by the end of the year.

With head coach Matt Patricia heading into a hot-seat year and Detroit leaning on an influx of young talent on both sides of the ball (Jeff Okudah, Hockenson, D’Andre Swift, Kenny Golladay), the team will continue to give Tavai opportunities to shine in an expanded role. With some of the following players bolstering backfields around the division, they’ll need him to come through.