old and battled nagging injuries during preseason. F

Get to know the Lions’ surprising second-round pick."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Lions NewsDetroit Lions NotesDetroit Lions AnalysisDetroit Lions TransactionsDetroit Lions Game RecapsNFL DraftDetroit Lions AnalysisInstant analysis to Detroit Lions’ surprising 2nd-round pick Jahlani Tavai New Quandre Diggs Jersey White ,189commentsGet to know the Lions’ surprising second-round pick.EDTShareTweetShareShareInstant analysis to Detroit Lions’ surprising 2nd-round pick Jahlani Tavai Marco Garcia-USA TODAY SportsLike many of you, my first reaction to the Detroit Lions’ selection of Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai was, “Um... who?” That’s never the kind of first impression you want to have for a team’s high second-round pick. But just because he was low on most people’s radar doesn’t mean he’s doomed to fail or the Lions’ front office are idiots.So let’s take a moment to cool down and learn a little about the newest Detroit Lion. Positional versatilityYes, it’s an overused phrase, but it’s one that we know the Lions love. Tavai took a lot of snaps from the edge, but he considers himself an inside linebacker.“I’m not sure, but from what I know inside backer was my primary position so I believe that that’s going to be where Day 1 starts,” Tavai said in his introductory teleconference with the media. That means that Detroit could move both him and Jarrad Davis all over the defense to give opposing offenses some tough matchups. NeedThere’s no doubt the Lions had a big need for a linebacker. Aside from Davis and Christian Jones (I consider Devon Kennard more EDGE than linebacker), Detroit has no viable depth on this team. Tavai fills Detroit’s most pressing need aside from guard and potentially cornerback.ValueHere’s the part where it’s going to be a tough sell on Lions fans. Just about every media outlet had Tavai as a Day 3 pick. NFL.com had him going in the fourth or fifth round. The Draft Network had him with a fifth-round grade. BUT there were a couple of people who went against the grain. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had Tavai as his LB4 in this year’s class and had him with second or third-round value. The Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy thinks teams were hoping he’d drop to the third round. Even our friends at The Phinsider had with an early second-round grade. Here’s what they had to say about him just three days ago:With a bunch of good corners on the board, reaching for a linebacker is certainly suspect. However, this is a pretty shallow linebacker class http://www.lionslockerroom.com/authentic-quandre-diggs-jersey , and the Lions may not be able to address that position later in the draft.Still, when you can only count on one hand the amount of draft analysts that had him going on Day 2, you have to question the value of this pick.AthleticismNot great.Obviously, Tavai has good size for an off-ball linebacker, but those speed and explosion scores are definitely worrisome. Overall profileTavai is a brutal tackler that is a run-defender first. His instincts are above average and his form is solid. He’s got that rugby background that the Patriots have notoriously loved, and speaks to his tackling form.However, some profile Tavai as reckless and his lack of athleticism, both in short-distance twitchiness and long-distance speed, will likely limit his effectiveness at the next level. There was also an off-field incident with Tavai in 2018. He was arrested after assaulting a man who allegedly shoved a woman at a nightclub. Tavai is coming off a shoulder injury, but given that Detroit brought him in for an official visit (according to Tavai himself), the Lions must feel comfortable with where he’s at medically.Highlights: ATLANTA FALCONS (11-7)New faces: OG Brandon Fusco Austin Bryant Jersey 2019 , rookie WR Calvin Ridley, DT Terrell McClain, rookie DT Deadrin Senat, TE Logan Paulsen, FB Ricky Ortiz, CB Justin Bethel, QB coach Greg Knapp, RB coach Bernie Parmalee.Key losses: DT Dontari Poe, DE Adrian Clayborn, WR Taylor Gabriel, FB Derrick Coleman Color Rush Austin Bryant Jersey , TE Levine Toilolo.Strengths: Falcons were highest-scoring team in league two seasons ago, but struggled to middle-of-pack showing in first year under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. With plenty of weapons surrounding QB Matt Ryan — most notably WR Julio Jones — and Fusco bulking up interior of line, Atlanta is expecting significant improvement in Year 2 under Sarkisian. He'll likely be calling plays from field, where he's most comfortable, now that Knapp is on board to watch things from booth. Defense is rapidly emerging as team's strength: young, quick and molded in vision of coach Dan Quinn, who oversaw one of league's great units when he was coordinator at Seattle.Weaknesses: K Matt Bryant has been one of team's most reliable players, but he's 43 years old and battled nagging injuries during preseason. Falcons sparked more concern when they signed former Raiders K Giorgio Tavecchio before final preseason game, though Quinn insisted Bryant was good to go. Offense struggled in red zone last season and must find more ways to score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. Jones had only three TD catches, the second-lowest total of career even though he otherwise had another big year with 88 receptions for 1,444 yards.Fantasy Players To Watch: If RB Devonta Freeman can stay healthy Cheap Austin Bryant Jersey , he has potential to provide big numbers in several areas. He has twice rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four-year career and caught 73 passes out of backfield in 2015. While RB Tevin Coleman can also expect to get extensive playing time as part of dynamic 1-2 punch, that arrangement should only help Freeman stay fresh and productive.Vegas Says: Super Bowl 20-1. Over/under wins 9.5.Expectations: Time is now for Atlanta, especially on offensive side. Ryan is 33, Jones is 29, Freeman is coming off injury-plagued season, and Coleman could be free agent after season. Clearly, window is narrowing for franchise that is still scarred by blowing 25-point lead in Super Bowl two seasons ago. If offense can recapture high-scoring form and talented young defense can make progress, this team has potential to finally win its first NFL championship. Anything less than 10 wins and third straight postseason appearance would be huge disappointment.