Lions Keep Building the Depth Chart
The draft is done, but Brad Holmes isn’t. The Lions announced Wednesday that they’ve signed defensive tackle Jay Tufele and linebacker Joe Bachie, because apparently this front office doesn’t believe in taking a break.
Let’s start with Tufele. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has bounced around the league since. One year with Jacksonville, three with Cincinnati, and then he landed with Aaron Glenn’s Jets defense. In 46 career games, he’s started seven and put together 56 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss.
Look, nobody is confusing these numbers with Aaron Donald’s resume. But the Lions lost Roy Lopez in free agency and DJ Reader is still unsigned, so depth at defensive tackle is a real need. Tufele brings size and strength even if he’s not a pure nose tackle. Sometimes you need bodies that can absorb blockers and not get moved around like furniture.
Special Teams Specialist With a Spartan Pedigree
Then there’s Joe Bachie, the former Michigan State linebacker who’s been grinding in the league since 2020. Eagles, Bengals, then split time with the Colts and Titans last year. His defensive snaps are limited, just 394 over six seasons, but here’s where it gets interesting.
This man has played at least 145 special teams snaps in each of the last five seasons. That’s 1,128 total special teams snaps, which means he’s carved out a role doing the dirty work that wins games in December. You know what that sounds like? A Brad Holmes signing.
The linebacker depth chart is thin after losing several players this offseason. Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez are projected as starters, but after that it gets murky. Bachie will compete with Damone Clark, Trevor Nowaske, and rookie Jimmy Rolder for whatever’s left.
Roster Math and Final Moves
With these two signings, the Lions sit at 78 players on their 90-man roster. Factor in nine UDFA signings still awaiting team confirmation, and Detroit has roughly three open spots remaining.
These aren’t flashy moves. Hell, they’re barely moves that register outside of Allen Park. But this is how you build sustainable depth in the NFL. You find guys who understand their role, can contribute on special teams, and won’t fold when their number gets called in November.
Are we looking at training camp heroes or future practice squad mainstays? Drop your predictions below.
