Patriots LB listed as their most underrated player ahead of training camp

While the New England Patriots don't have the most talented roster, their defense is expected to be one of the best units in the league.

DeMarcus Covington's defense does have a number of impact players who are recognizable names for football fans, but one guy who makes a difference for them goes under the radar.

Pro Football Network's Lorenzo Reyna recently picked one player from each team that's underappreciated, and his selection for New England was linebacker Jahlani Tavai.

Here's what Reyna wrote about Tavai:

"One of the last imprints Bill Belichick had in Foxborough was turning Jahlani Tavai into a 110-tackle LB last season. Tavai’s numbers, however, rose the moment he joined the Patriots in 2022, as he broke out of a patter of 50-tackle seasons. He’s likely to lead the new era of Pats football under former LB Jerod Mayo."

The Patriots, under Belichick's leadership, almost always had a steady presence at middle linebacker, and with Mayo both playing and coaching under Belichick, Tavai will likely continue to have a big role with the new head coach.