Tahir Whitehead Scouting Report

Temple Owls outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead will provide the Detroit Lions some competition on the strong side behind current starter Justin Durant.

Whitehead has a frame that could add some bulk which may would be necessary for him to ever become a full-time player. He is athletic enough to drop back into coverage and changes direction with ease. Whitehead isn't a great tackler since he typically wraps but fails to break down to finish off the ball carrier. When blitzing, he has tunnel vision and is too easily knocked off his path. If the Lions coaching staff can teach him to play with a lower pad level, it would help him across the board. Keeping a lower center of gravity would improve his lateral agility and range in coverage.

The Lions needed OLB depth, but Whitehead isn't a lock to stick on this roster. Detroit also drafted Oklahoma LBs Ronnell Lewis and Travis Lewis, so there may only be room for one rookie after final cuts (even though Ronnell could transition to defensive end).