If those attributes translate to production on the field, it will expand what the Lions can do with returning starters Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard and Christian Jones, along with backups such as Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

"Like a lot of our guys, he's versatile," Golden said of Tavai. "When you have a lot of size and length, and you have agility to go with it, you can become versatile. For us, he has enough reach to play on the line of scrimmage. He's like Kennard or Chris. That's what draws us to him."

There are exceptions, but size matters, and Tavai has it.

"For us, we make decisions basically with closed windows, if you will," Golden said. "We're really not concerned with the outside world. He matches what we're looking for, and we're excited to have him.