FOXBORO — If Jahlani Tavai played basketball, describing his impact and role on the Patriots would be easy.

He’d be a glue guy.

An overlooked connector who maintains defensive communication, plays different positions and revels in the dirty work, Tavai ranks fourth on the team in tackles (48) and special teams snaps played. Defensively, the Patriots allow fewer yards per run with Tavai on the field than when he’s off, and he allows a passer rating of 50.3 when targeted in coverage.

Tavai can play most spots in the front seven. Once the Pats lost rookie defensive end Keion White to a concussion in Las Vegas, he flexed out and played a season-high 35 snaps on the edge. His sturdy run defense helped limit Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs to 2.9 yards per carry after White’s exit.

Last week in Miami, Ja’Whaun Bentley suffered a hamstring injury, and Tavai logged more snaps at inside linebacker than ever before. He also tallied three pressures and two pass breakups in those games, including an interception.

Tavai is quietly proving he belongs on an NFL defense, just as he expected to as a second-round pick out of Hawaii in 2019.

“I was expecting that because like I said, I’m a football player, not just a linebacker. I’m ready to play whatever I got to play,” Tavai told the Herald. “I did that in college, and I expected to do that same when I got to the league.”

New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) defends during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

His delayed arrival stemmed from a variety of factors, including one that brought him to New England: ex-Lions head coach and former Patriots coach Matt Patricia. In Detroit, Tavai came to embody a failed regime led by Patricia and former Lions GM Bob Quinn, who many believe reached several rounds upon drafting him. After Detroit released him in 2021, the Pats signed Tavai to their practice squad, and his connection to Patricia meant he was almost tainted with a guilt by association

Tavai slowly turned that around last season, starting a dozen games and setting career highs in several categories. He didn’t miss a single tackle in 570 defensive snaps. Tavai also posted personal best Pro Football Focus grade, and the Patriots rewarded him with a contract extension in November.

This season, he’s leveled up again. Tavai is the Pats’ highest-graded defender at PFF. At this pace, he’s tracking for more career highs: roughly 100 tackles, seven pass breakups, six QB hits and a couple sacks.

Teammates aren’t surprised by his breakout, saying the 27-year-old has always had the requisite talent.

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“He’s finally getting an opportunity to showcase what he’s able to do,” said Pats safety Adrian Phillips. “He’s been in the system longer. .. He’s just got more opportunities this year, and he’s confident. Comfortable and confident.”

Tavai doesn’t celebrate the realization of his original NFL dream. He wants to keep going.

“It’s nice, but you know, job’s not done yet. There’s a lot of things I still got to improve on,” he said. “For the time being, it’s been nice getting to showcase my abilities and multiple positions. I’m just gonna whatever I gotta do to continue to improve and just have fun.”

Tavai pointed to improved communication as a driving factor behind his growth. He understands his teammates better, from Bentley to the defensive linemen that occupy blockers in front of them they can swarm and make tackles. Tavai is also grasping the defense from a global view, and seeing his within that world more clearly.

“I used to always think I was gonna make the play or I wanted to make everything happen. But sometimes I gotta put other players in a position that they succeed,” Tavai said.

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“It’s so much better when you know how each other’s thinking,” he continued. “Then that way, everybody’s playing fast. And if we’re playing fast, that means we’re making plays. … When we’re on the same pages, we’re just flying.”

Fellow linebacker Mack Wilson compared Tavai to a having a coach on the field. He said Tavai and Bentley speak the same language as inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, an ex-player. It emboldens him, Wilson said, to play free; knowing Tavai’s word before any play is as good as gold.

“It’s crazy to see,” Wilson said.

The two are also close. With a locker next to Tavai’s inside the facility, Wilson has witnessed his development at every step; from a quiet backup pushing for a roster spot two summers ago to a sudden staple of Belichick’s front seven.

This is the best he’s even seen from Tavai, and Wilson believes the best is yet to come.

“He’s a great teammate. Honestly, one of my best friends on the team,” Wilson said. “I’m just excited for him to be off to a good start and to see how the rest of the season goes for him. He should be the top of the top by the end of year.”