The Eagles made a slightly under-the-radar signing today, but it’s one that could carry significant weight moving forward. Linebacker Joe Bachie was poached from the Saints practice squad and signed to the active roster. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why?
Davion Taylor and T.J Edwards both picked up injuries in the loss to Green Bay and Pederson made it sound like the team’s third-round selection will be out for some time. Edwards has had nagging setbacks already this season and depth is minimal. If either has to go to IR, the Eagles would be down to bare bones at the position, with Nate Gerry still recovering from an injury of his own.
Who?
Joe Bachie is a UDFA out of Michigan State. He was a player several people (including us at PSN) had aligned with the Eagles as a day-3 target for a position that was still (shockingly) light on depth.
The 6’2, 231 lbs, linebacker was waived during the roster cutdown and has spent this season learning on the practice squad.
He played in 40 games for Michigan State, recording 285 tackles, 27.5 TFL, 8 sacks, 5 picks, 11 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Our scout report on him read like this:
For: Decent mobility in hips, allows him to open up and drop in zones fairly. OK tackler, nothing spectacular although he doesn’t straight up miss a tackle often. Usually takes good angles in pursuit and tracks inside hip.
Against: Would never trust him in man coverage, often loses. Too often gets caught at alignment. Doesn’t react to what he sees against run. Hesitant against blockers and gets caught, lacks active hands and a counter move.
Draft: 6th round.
The wildcard here is that the Eagles are indeed playing the Saints this weekend. While we can’t expect Bachie to willingly give up every piece of information he has on the schemes deployed and nuances to watch out for, it could play a factor at the very least.
It remains to be seen if Bachie will make an impact for the Eagles this season, especially considering how long it will take him to get up to speed and comfortable with the playbook, and how little of the season is left.
Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire
