The Detroit Lions have once again dipped into the waiver wire to add depth to their defensive front. On Wednesday, the team claimed Tyler Lacy (formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars) and Tyrus Wheat (formerly of the Dallas Cowboys), giving Detroit two versatile defensive linemen with different skill sets.
Lions claimed DT Tyler Lacy and DE Tyrus Wheat on waivers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2025
Tyler Lacy Brings Inside Power
Lacy, a 2023 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State, saw the field plenty in Jacksonville over the past two years. He logged 28 career games with eight starts, moving between defensive end and defensive tackle depending on the Jaguars’ scheme.
Lacy, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 279 pounds, totaled 37 tackles in two seasons, including three tackles for loss and four quarterback hits, showing flashes of disruption even if the sack numbers haven’t come yet.
For Detroit, Lacy adds much-needed rotational depth behind starters like DJ Reader and rookie Tyleik Williams, with the potential to carve out an early role.
Tyrus Wheat Provides Edge Depth
On the other side, Wheat comes in as a high-energy edge defender who worked his way into the league as an undrafted free agent from Mississippi State. In Dallas, he appeared in 20 games across two seasons, carving out a niche on both defense and special teams.
Wheat’s production ramped up this preseason, where he consistently created pressure off the edge. His official career numbers include 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a half-sack, but coaches have raved more about his effort and motor than his stat line. At 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, he’s built more like a traditional outside linebacker but will likely rotate with Detroit’s defensive ends.
Why It Matters
For a Lions team that struggled at times to generate consistent pressure behind Aidan Hutchinson, adding developmental players like Lacy and Wheat is all about raising the floor of the defensive line. Both bring versatility and youth, and both come at essentially no cost, perfect fits for Brad Holmes’ approach to roster construction.