Detroit Lions’ Most Intriguing Free Agent Signing

The Detroit Lions had a busy offseason re-signing key personnel and strengthening the roster through free agency and the draft. After signing New York Jets’ cornerback D.J. Reed to a $48 million four-year contract, Brad Holmes made his most intriguing free agent move, acquiring former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Grant Stuard. 

Detroit Lions’ Most Intriguing Free Agent Signing

Compared to Reed’s huge contract, Stuard’s modest one-year $1.7 million signing almost went unnoticed. However, opponents shouldn’t mistakenly discount him. Stuard’s life story is a remarkable journey of overcoming tremendous obstacles to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 259th and final pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Stuard was saddled with the moniker of “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 2021 draft. While it’s a tremendous validation to be drafted, it’s rare for players selected last to make a team’s 53-man roster. Over the past 10 years, only two “Mr. Irrelevants” have accomplished that goal, and Stuard is one of them. However, like another “Mr. Irrelevant,” San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy, Stuard might end up surprising a lot of people.

Stuard’s Early Life Challenges

Making an NFL roster as the last man drafted doesn’t seem quite as big a hurdle after Stuard grew up wondering if there would be food on the table, electricity in the house, or if a parent would come home. Shortly after he was drafted, Stuard acknowledged in an ESPN Interview the difficulties of growing up with a father in and out of prison, and a drug-addicted mother who turned to prostitution to support her habit. One of five children, Stuard and his siblings were often bounced from house to house, dependent on supportive family members and others in the community for help.

For young Stuard, football offered stability in a world where everything else was ever-shifting and unreliable. Former Oak Ridge High School football coach Dereck Rush saw Stuard’s potential. With 154 career tackles and 7.5 sacks, Stuard was named first-team all-district linebacker his junior season. 

In college, Stuard played both linebacker and running back for the Houston Cougars.  Leading his team in tackles, he topped the AAC leaderboard with the most tackles per game. As a senior, his maturity and leadership skills led to his being named a team captain.

Stuard, Another Overachieving “Mr. Irrelevant”

A year after he was drafted, Stuard was traded to the Colts. The trade proved beneficial, leading to increased opportunities. Deployed primarily on special teams, he scored his first NFL touchdown in an overtime victory against the Tennessee Titans on an 18-yard blocked punt return. Later in the season, Stuard got his first NFL start with the Colts. He played 64 of the Colts’ 69 defensive snaps to record a team-leading 19 tackles in a 16-10 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Stuard was a workhorse for the Colts in 2024, playing 229 defensive snaps. Recording 40 tackles (two TFLs) led PFF to rank him 60th overall among 189 linebackers with a 70.1 run defense and a 54.6 pass rush grade. However, his strong 65.3 coverage grade placed 45th out of 189.

Is Stuard Another Diamond In The Rough For the Lions?

Holmes has a gift for spotting underrated talent. He might have found another hidden gem in Stuard. His athleticism and versatility could make him a genuine impact player with a dual role on defense and special teams. 

Stuard’s former coach was full of praise. “He’s a guy that comes in every day and works his tail off,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said of Stuard, a year ago. “And he got his opportunity and made the most of it.” Referring to Stuard as the “ultimate competitor,” Steichen stated, “Loves football. He’s going to bring great energy to that building. Phenomenal human being, too.” 

Dave Fipp, Lions special-teams coach, was already a fan. Watching Stuard play for the Colts, Fipp said, “Number 41’s a hair-on-fire player, this guy’s relentless. He’s got a great story..… But just a great player, and I have a lot of respect for him.”  Now, Stuard could fill an immediate need for Detroit. Following the release of former Pro Bowler Jalen Reeves-Maybin and the delayed return of Malcom Rodriguez, Stuard could be an ideal “plug-and-play” starter.