There was good news for the Detroit Lions on Day 2 of the 2019 NFL draft: They addressed some needs on defense. The bad news? Many of the NFL draft graders didn't think much of their picks. Take that for what it's worth. The Lions selected Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai and Boston College safety Will Harris in the second and third rounds, respectively. [ Love or hate it, Detroit Lions are following own path in 2019 NFl draft ] Here's a sampling of grades for the Lions' Day 2 picks: LB Jahlani Tavai Freep's Carlos Monarrez Grade: D-minus The buzz: "At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, he’s a big-framed, willing tackler. But even if the Lions are desperate to move Jarrad Davis outside it’s hard to understand why they had to draft him so early. This might be Bob Quinn’s strangest decision since he drafted a long snapper." [ What NFL insiders are saying about new Lions LB Jahlani Tavai ] For The Win's Steve Ruiz Grade: C-minus The buzz: "I get that Matt Patricia wants versatile defenders on his defense, and Jahlani Tavai is certainly that. But you have to think the Lions could’ve moved down and still picked up the Hawaii product. Run-first linebackers aren’t exactly a hot commodity. Like the fit; I’m not so sure about the value." Bleacher Report's Mike Tainer Grade:C-minus The buzz: "Tavai missed the final five games last season with a shoulder injury and was limited in offseason work, but he reportedly looked great at Hawaii’s pro day. ... He was also arrested on charges of third-degree assault in a nightclub in 2018, but reports indicate he was coming to a woman’s defense, so character does not appear to be a concern." Sporting News' Vinny Iyer Grade: N/A The buzz: "The Lions go for a nice-sized (6-2, 250 pounds), high-effort tackler who is versatile enough to back up all three positions for Matt Patricia's defense. He has good smarts and instincts to overcome his less than top-end speed and quickness." Pro Football Weekly staff Grade:N/A The buzz: "For the second straight year, Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn pull a big Day 2 surprise, following up the Tracy Walker selection in 2018 with Tavai, who wasn't even our 2019 NFL Draft Mag and seems to be a mid-Day 3 prospect at a few other sites we've checked out." [ Who is Jahlani Tavai: A look at Lions' second-round pick ] S Will Harris Freep's Carlos Monarrez Grade: B The buzz: "The Lions traded up seven spots with Minnesota to pick this big-hitter and possible linebacker in sub packages in the third round. He’s a three-year starter and has the size at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds to cover big receivers and tight ends. Tracy Walker is not a sure thing as a starter, so Harris fills a need, provides versatility and he’s likely a safe because defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni was a BC assistant in 2016-17." [ Lions make great 'culture pick' by selection Boston College's Will Harris ] For The Win's Steve Ruiz Grade: C The buzz: "This is a very Patriots-like draft for the Lions. They’re taking their guys no matter where they may be on other teams’ boards. This is another reach, but Will Harris is a physical safety. He’s not great in coverage but he’s not a total liability." Bleacher Report's Mike Tainer Grade:D-plus The buzz: "Harris is a toolsy prospect who timed well, but he’s a project who would have probably been on the board in the middle of Day 3. He’ll start his career as a rotation safety. The upside is there, but with lots of more polished safety talent on the board (Alabama’s Deionte Thompson is still out there, for heaven’s sake), this is a head-scratching pick." Sporting News' Vinny Iyer Grade: N/A The buzz: "The Lions need some help at free safety and the speedy Harris (6-1, 207 pounds) will have a chance to displace Miles Killebrew. There is a little Devin McCourty in him that no doubt appealed to Matt Patricia." [ Meet new Lions safety Will Harris: He's a dog, not a cat ] Pro Football Weekly staff Grade:N/A The buzz: "This was a steal for the Lions this late in the third round. We had a Round 2-3 grade on Harris."<doc-sep>Undrafted Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson reached agreement with the Buffalo Bills on a deal that includes $75,000 guaranteed, per source. So some of the sting of not being drafted is softened by getting to stay home and to compete for the Bills’ No. 2 QB job. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2019 6:34 p.m. ET: Final pick of the draft has been made. Mona Shores alum Tyree Jackson, who excelled at Buffalo, was not selected. Mona Shores alum Tyree Jackson, a 6-7, 249-pound QB who was MAC Offensive Player of the Year at Buffalo, was undrafted. Next step will be looking at his UDFA options. @SHORES_FOOTBALL @sailorathletics — Scott DeCamp (@ScottDeCamp) April 27, 2019 Bob Quinn once said it made good football sense to draft a QB every year, or maybe every other year. Detroit has now gone two straight drafts without taking one. Of course, this class kind of sucked. — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 27, 2019 5:42 p.m. ET: Quick story taking a look at the Lions’ seventh-round draft picks: 5:28 p.m. ET: With their second of two seventh-round picks, the Lions select Arizona DT PJ Johnson. That should wrap it up for Detroit in this draft. 5:16 p.m. ET: The Lions make the first of their two seventh-round picks, going with another tight end: Even if I was an actual NFL draft prospect hoping to hear my name called right now, a country music show would probably get me to turn the channel. — Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) April 27, 2019 5:09 p.m. ET: Did the Lions get a steal in Penn State CB Amani Oruwariye? Saquon Barkley thinks so: 5:05 p.m. ET: Mike Weber, a running back out of Detroit Cass Tech, who played at Ohio State, goes in the seventh round to the Cowboys. He’ll join ex-Buckeye Zeke Elliott with Dallas. 4:45 p.m. ET: Here’s a nice sidebar on MSU’s Khari Willis, courtesy of Matt Wenzel, who was with the family when Willis got the call from the Colts today: 4:27 p.m. ET: Here’s the quick story on CMU’s Xavier Crawford: 4:13 p.m. ET: Another CMU defensive back is drafted, as Xavier Crawford goes in the sixth round (195th overall) to the Houston Texans. 4:08 p.m. ET: Here is the quick story on the Detroit Lions’ two sixth-round picks: With their second sixth-rounder, the #Lions selected Maryland RB Ty Johnson. He's a pure speed back at 5-10 and 208. Think kick returns with him. He had two KR TDs in college. — Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) April 27, 2019 3:50 p.m. ET: The Lions’ second of two sixth-round picks is in: Sixth-round pick (Volume II): Ty Johnson, RB, Maryland — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 27, 2019 Fulgham has great size, at 6-foot-2. Not exactly a burner though, running the 40 in 4.58. That was tied for 29th out of 37 receivers at the combine. — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 27, 2019 3:44 p.m. ET: The Lions’ first of two sixth-round picks is in: Sixth-round pick (Volume I): Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 27, 2019 49ers pick is in. Lions on the clock for 2 of the next 3 picks. — Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) April 27, 2019 3:16 p.m.: We’re in the fifth round, at the 172nd overall pick, and Tyree Jackson is the fifth-best player available according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper. 3:04 p.m. ET: Two more QBs are drafted, at Nos. 166 and 167, but no Tyree Jackson yet. The Mona Shores alum and MAC Offensive Player of the Year at Buffalo was the Senior Bowl South team MVP. I've enjoyed going back to Bob Quinn's pre-draft comments this year. He told us a lot of truths. He wasn't trying to hide a lot. Except that Hawaii kid. https://t.co/R9bppY0bbr — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 27, 2019 2:23 p.m. ET: Here’s a quick story on U-M’s Zach Gentry going to the Steelers: 2:22 p.m. ET: The Lions’ fifth-round pick is in. You can read about him here: 1:58 p.m. ET: Another U-M player off the board, as TE Zach Gentry joins Devin Bush with the Steelers. He goes early in the fifth round. 1:46 p.m. ET: Michael Jordan -- the Ohio State football player, not the NBA legend -- goes to the Bengals in the fourth round. He’s from Canton, Mich. New Lions DE Austin Bryant is tougher than you https://t.co/vtkHyiXeZi pic.twitter.com/u38iVM11SH — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 27, 2019 1:11 p.m. EDT: And here’s the quick story on the newest Lion, DE Austin Bryant out of Clemson. 1:08 p.m. EDT: Here’s the quick story on EMU’s Maxx Crosby being chosen by the Raiders: 1:01 p.m. EDT: And, now, we here from Lomas Brown: . @LomasBrown75 has a message from the @thehenryford. With the 117th pick, the #Lions select DE Austin Bryant out of Clemson! pic.twitter.com/7EU8NgwKZs — Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 27, 2019 12:58 p.m. ET: And, now, from our Nate Atkins: The #Lions take Clemson EDGE Austin Bryant in the fourth round. I had him on my list for them entering the day. He's had exactly 15 TFLs and 8.5 sacks the past two years. At 6-4 and 271, he'll be a situational pass rusher while he adds play strength, — Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) April 27, 2019 12:55 p.m. ET: Some Lions news, courtesy of Kyle Meinke: Fourth-round pick: Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson — kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 27, 2019 Harbaughs like their Hills. @daxhill5 is an incoming freshman at Michigan. His brother Justice gets picked by Baltimore. https://t.co/4AI43KI1yi — Eric Lloyd (@EricLloyd) April 27, 2019 12:50 p.m. ET: Here’s the quick story on MSU’s Khari Willis being selected by the Colts: The moment Khari Willis heard his name called in the draft. pic.twitter.com/p4vE0ifVgN — Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) April 27, 2019 12:31 p.m. ET: Then, Michigan State’s Khari Willis, a Jackson native, goes to the Colts. 12:29 p.m. ET: With the fourth pick of the fourth round, the Raiders choose Eastern Michigan DE Maxx Crosby. 12:12 p.m. ET: Day 3 of the NFL Draft is underway.<doc-sep>Welcome to Day 3 of the 2019 NFL draft from Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday. Beginning at noon, Rounds 4-7 will send dozens of college football players to their pro destinations. What will the Detroit Lions do to round out their draft class? They enter the day with five picks, including two in the seventh round. Check in throughout the afternoon, as several local players also live out their dreams and get drafted. Lions Day 3 picks: Round 4: Austin Bryant, DL, Clemson; Round 5: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State Round 6: Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion; Round 6: Ty Johnson, RB, Maryland Round 7: Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia; Round 7: P.J. Johnson, DT, Arizona [ What NFL insiders are saying about new Lions LB Jahlani Tavai ] Twitter updates Live updates for mobile users.<doc-sep>ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions were open to trading back in the first round of the NFL draft. On Day 2, they could be looking to trade up. GM Bob Quinn has done it before, after all, including trading away a fourth-round pick last year to move up eight spots in the second round of the draft. It was a risky venture, given that Detroit was sitting on its fewest number of draft picks in 20 years. But Quinn didn’t want to risk losing his man, and made the bold move up the board anyway. That player: Kerryon Johnson. Hey, he turned out pretty good. Now armed with a total of nine picks in this draft, Quinn has even more ammunition with which to work. And he won’t be afraid to make a move up the board Friday night. Detroit currently has the 11th pick of the night, at 43rd overall. “It’s possible. It was something we were just talking through the last hour or so, as the other picks were coming off,” Quinn said late Thursday night. “(There are a) couple guys that we like, and just kind of see what’s the range that we would have to go up to get them. That’s something that we’ll kind of look at (Friday) morning.” Quinn said by breaking the draft up into three days, there’s more time to weigh options and execute a deal between the first and second round. “Since they’ve changed the draft format, however many years ago that was, to make it the first round one night and then, second and third the next – I think there’s been a little bit of a change in philosophy with so much time to think about it,” he said. "It’s midnight (right now), so come in and get a couple hours of sleep, come in tomorrow morning, look at it all day. I think it provokes more conversation just naturally by the amount of time you have. So, I think every team goes through the same process – reset the board a little bit, you know? We’re not moving guys up or down. You’re saying, ‘All right, what is it going to take? I have to have one of these two guys, or these three or four guys. What are the chances of them coming to me?’ We’ll go through that process (Friday) morning pretty early and get on the phones if we need to.” Quinn also had interest in trading back in the first round, given the equality of player that was available to Detroit at No. 8, and he fielded some calls about it too when Detroit was on the clock. But ultimately he liked T.J. Hockenson too much, and elected to take the Iowa tight end instead. Players like Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, Florida State EDGE Brian Burns and Michigan linebacker Devin Bush were also available. “Had a couple conversations (about trading back),” Quinn said. "Nothing to really sway us really hard to move out of that spot, but we did have a couple conversations.” And it seems he’ll be having more of them Friday, as Detroit prepares for the second and third rounds. Those begin at 7 p.m.<doc-sep>
The biggest winner of the Detroit Lions’ 2019 draft, a class that includes four offensive players and five players on the defensive side of the ball, was tight ends coach Chris White. The Lions had one of the worst tight-end rooms in the entire NFL last season, at least in terms of offensive production. After adding two tight ends in last week’s draft, including first-round pick T.J. Hockenson, they could have one of the best this fall. Hockenson should join free-agent addition Jesse James in the starting lineup and give the Lions matchup options in the passing and running game. He’s a sure-handed receiver and tenacious blocker, and if he wasn’t he wouldn’t have become the first tight end since Vernon Davis to go in the top eight picks. Along with Hockenson, the Lions took Georgia’s Isaac Nauta in the seventh-round of the draft. Nauta is another dual-threat tight end. He dropped in the draft because he ran a disappointing 4.91-second 40-yard dash at the combine, but general manager Bob Quinn said he was too good to pass up in Saturday’s seventh round, “When you watch this guy at Georgia, like, he gets open in the passing game,” Quinn said. “And then he went to the combine, and I remember like us all looking around like, ‘Whoa, he ran that? He’s not going to go as high as we thought.’ Did a good workout with him, had a good meeting with him, and just at the board at that time, he was sticking out like a sore thumb. So, we just felt like it was just a really, really good value.” White might be the biggest winner of the offseason in Detroit, as the Lions added four tight ends in all, completely remaking the tight-end room. Here are the Lions’ other winners and losers from last week’s draft: Loser: Michael Roberts With all those new additions in the tight-end room, someone has to be a loser, and that player is Roberts. A fourth-round pick in 2017, Roberts has yet to live up to the potential he showed coming out of Toledo. He was suspended late in his rookie year for insubordination, finished last season on injured reserve, and will have to compete for a roster spot this year with Hockenson, James, Nauta and free-agent addition Logan Thomas. Winner: Brandon Powell It was easy to forget about Powell when the discussion came to wide receivers this offseason as he made only a late-season cameo in games. But the Lions were high enough on him as an undrafted rookie to keep him coming out of training camp, and they did not draft over him last week. (Sixth-round choice Travis Fulgham projects as an outside receiver.) Danny Amendola is this team’s main slot option for 2019, but Powell still is in the mix as a long-term solution at the position. Loser: Teez Tabor The Lions used a fifth-round pick Saturday on Penn State cornerback Amani Oruwariye, and that could spell the end of the Tabor era in Detroit. The Lions used a second-round pick on Tabor in 2017 and he has spent the last two years buried on the depth chart. Oruwariye has similar size and more speed, and when it comes to sorting through a cornerback crop that also includes Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin and Jamal Agnew, Tabor could be the odd man out. Winner: Connor Cook Quinn has said it’s good business to take a quarterback in the draft every other year or so, for developmental purposes. Well, the Lions passed on a quarterback for the second straight season, and Quinn was very complimentary of Cook in his post-draft comments. There’s no guarantee Cook makes the roster. He still has Matthew Stafford and Tom Savage in front of him. But he has less competition for a job than he would have otherwise. Neutral: Matthew Stafford The Lions got Stafford a new toy for the passing game in Hockenson, and that’s good. But they didn’t do anything to address the offensive line, which lost its best blocker (albeit someone who missed a lot of games) in T.J. Lang this offseason. As things stand now, the Lions will use some combination of Oday Aboushi, Kenny Wiggins and Tyrell Crosby at right guard, and there’s not much depth up front if someone gets hurt. Stafford took 40 sacks last season, and the Lions need to do a better job of protecting him this fall. Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com.