Grading Lions’ Signing of Grant Stuard

TheDetroitLionsaddeddepthtotheirlinebackingandspecialteamsunitsWednesdaybyacquiringGrantStuard.Stuard–theverylastpickofthe2021NFLDraft(Mr.Irrelevant)–andtheLionsreportedlycametotermsonaone-yearcontract.  Stuard,aTampaBayBuccaneersdraftpick,comestoDetroitafterspendingthepastthreeseasonsinIndianapolis.ThroughhisfirstfourNFLseasons,the26-year-oldhasprimarilymadehismarkasaspecialteamscontributor.Infact,he’srecorded1,266careersnapsonspecialteams,342ofwhichcamethispastseason.  Inaddition,Stuardreceivedacareer-highnumberofsnapsatlinebackerin2024.Helogged229reps,whichaccountedfor20percentoftheColts’defensivesnaps.Andhemadethemostofhistimeattheposition.Heproceededtoamass40totaltackles,includingtwoforloss.Thisincludedastaggering19-tackleeffortinaWeek7victoryagainsttheDolphins. “He’saguythatcomesineverydayandworkshistailoff,”ColtsheadcoachShaneSteichensaidofStuardafterthegame.“Andhegothisopportunityandmadethemostofit.” Forhisef