Grading Detroit Lions signing of linebacker Grant Stuard

The Detroit Lions added depth to their linebacking and particular groups items Wednesday by buying Grant Stuard. Stuard – the final choose of the 2021 NFL Draft (Mr. Irrelevant) – and the Lions reportedly got here to phrases on a one-year contract. 

Stuard, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft choose, involves Detroit after spending the previous three seasons in Indianapolis. By his first 4 NFL seasons, the 26-year-old has primarily made his mark as a particular groups contributor. The truth is, he is recorded 1,266 profession snaps on particular groups, 342 of which got here this previous season. 

As well as, Stuard obtained a career-high variety of snaps at linebacker in 2024. He logged 229 reps, which accounted for 20 % of the Colts’ defensive snaps. And he made essentially the most of his time on the place. He proceeded to amass 40 complete tackles, together with two for loss. This included a staggering 19-tackle effort in a Week 7 victory towards the Dolphins.

“He’s a guy that comes in every day and works his tail off,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen stated of Stuard after the sport. “And he got his opportunity and made the most of it.”

For his efforts final season, Stuard earned a Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 70.1 and a PFF general mark of 69.4.  

He joins a Lions linebackers room spearheaded by Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell and likewise that includes Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez. Stuard will present Detroit with some much-needed insurance coverage on the place, as Rodriguez continues to be within the midst of recovering from the torn ACL he suffered final Thanksgiving.

He additionally ought to show to be a useful asset on particular groups for the Lions. He has expertise on each the kick return and protection items and the punt return and protection groups. And with Detroit having launched particular groups ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Stuard may assist fill the void. 

Now coming into his fifth NFL marketing campaign, Stuard will not be confused for a high-impact participant anytime quickly. Nonetheless, he’s a strong depth piece, with the flexibility to contribute each at linebacker and on particular groups. With that stated, he ought to be capable of preserve a spot on the Lions’ 53-man roster for the whole lot of the 2025 season.

At this current juncture, I am going to give Detroit a “B” for its signing of Stuard.