Lions adding former Colts linebacker and one of the more successful Mr. Irrelevants to their defense
The new league year is rolling right now and the news is coming in fast. Lost in the shuffle was that the Detroit Lions, a team that absolutely loves linebackers, has added another linebacker. Former Indianapolis Colts LB Grant Stuard is heading to Detroit. The 26-year-old Stuard has spent the last three seasons with the […]
The new league year is rolling right now and the news is coming in fast. Lost in the shuffle was that the Detroit Lions, a team that absolutely loves linebackers, has added another linebacker. Former Indianapolis Colts LB Grant Stuard is heading to Detroit.
The 26-year-old Stuard has spent the last three seasons with the Colts and has been a big part of their special teams there. This was after he was Mr. Irrelevant for the Jaguars in 2021. That's the least player picked in the draft for those that didn't know.
In 2024 Stuard got to play on defense more than he ever had before and he really wowed some people. He was a rotational guy who also got to start five games. He recorded 40 tackles and Pro Football Focus gave him a final grade of 69.4 for the season.
Our Colts beat writer Destin Adams chipped in some inside info on Stuard. Here's what he had to say:
"Grant Stuard has been one of the best special teamers for the Colts since they acquired him from the Buccaneers ahead of the 2022 season. He became a big leader on the field and in the locker room amongst that group almost immediately…
This past year was by far his most extensive role on defense and it was an up and down experience. But he had by far the best game of his pro career, Week 7 vs. the Miami Dolphins when he filled in as a starter. He finished the game with a team high 19 total tackles. Indy never gave him a shot to become a consistent contributor on defense and I'm sure that possibility elsewhere led to him leaving the Colts, as I know the team would have loved to keep him for special teams purposes."
We know how much the Lions love special teams play. This guy is going to fit right in.
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