With Jalen Reeves-Maybin gone and Malcolm Rodriguez sidelined, Stuard could play a key role on both special teams and defense for the Lions in 2025.
Our 2025 Detroit Lions roster preview series rolls along as we bide our time before the pads come on and training camp starts. Today, we’re taking a look at one of the newcomers this offseason, an under-the-radar addition in linebacker Grant Stuard.
Previous previews: RB Sione Vaki , RB Jahmyr Gibbs , WR Jameson Williams , TE Sam LaPorta , EDGE Aidan Hutchinson , DT Brodric Martin , K Jake Bates
Grant Stuard
Expectations heading into 2024
Grant Stuard arrived in Indianapolis via trade in late August of 2022. The Colts, looking for someone with special teams experience, brought in Stuard and were rewarded with high-level play in that phase of the game. A core-four special teams player (kickoff, kick return, punt, and punt return), Stuard added field goal block snaps to his resume in his second season with Indy, playing 349 total special teams snaps in 2023—the 26th-most special teams snaps by a player that year. He didn’t log any defensive snaps in 2022, but along with his extensive contributions on special teams in 2023, Stuard saw 32 snaps of action on defense at linebacker across a smattering of games.
Heading into 2024, the Colts knew Stuard could be counted on to be a core special teamer, and his limited work on defense laid the groundwork for him to be available in a pinch should injuries happen at linebacker.
Actual role in 2024
Note: Stats are regular season only unless otherwise stated
17 games (5 starts)
Stats: 40 tackles, 2 TFLs
PFF grade: 69.4 (28th out of 93 LBs with minimum 229 snaps)
PFF run defense grade: 70.1 (t-41st out of 93)
PFF coverage grade: 65.3 (23rd out of 93)
PFF tackling grade: 64.0 (40th out of 93)
PFF pass rush grade: 54.6 (72nd out of 93)
Stuard was once again the Colts’ ace on special teams in 2024, playing 342 snaps across his various roles (t-37th in snaps among all NFL special teams players). However, things would take a turn for Stuard in his fourth season, as injuries and ineffective linebacker play from the Colts’ starters led to him earning more playing time on defense (229 snaps) than ever before in his career.
Stuard would earn the first start of his career on defense in a Week 7 tilt with the Miami Dolphins . The hard-nosed special teamer made the most of his milestone moment, tallying 19 total tackles—including 11 solo and one for loss—while playing 64 defensive snaps (92.8%) in a 16-10 win over the Dolphins.
Over the next eight weeks, he started four more games and averaged 19.8% of defensive snaps down the stretch—all while continuing to contribute heavily on special teams, where he played an average of 72.9% of the snaps.
Outlook for 2025
Even though the Lions finished the season with a 15-2 record, their season was ultimately defined by injuries. The linebacker room was hit hard: Alex Anzalone missed six weeks with a fractured forearm, and Malcolm Rodriguez was lost for the year with a torn ACL he suffered on Thanksgiving.
Rodriguez is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season—Dan Campbell mentioned earlier this month they anticipate being without Rodriguez until probably November —and the Lions released special teams linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin back in February , so that’s where Stuard fits in.
“Honestly, I’m a little surprised the Colts let a core special teamer and potential spot-starter at linebacker go for what seems like a cost-efficient contract,” Luke Schultheis, Site Manager for Stampede Blue, wrote of Colts’ decision to let Stuard walk in free agency .
“[…] he was a breath of fresh air for a Colts linebacker room that was reeling and particularly struggling against the run. Stuard was taking on, fighting through blocks, and showed a willingness to mix it up—with a knack for finding the football.”
Stuard’s first taste of the football culture in Detroit during OTAs was an “eye-opening” experience for the linebacker, according to a conversation between him and MLive’s Kory Woods .
“It’s been something. It’s been an adjustment period, you know what I’m saying?” Stuard said at the conclusion of OTAs. “And I’m studying my butt off, just because the standard is the standard here. So (I’m) just trying to really match that level of intensity and expectation.”
During that same conversation, Stuard shared that the Lions coaches haven’t pigeonholed him as a direct replacement for Reeves-Maybin on special teams, but have also outlined how they envision him fitting into the defense.
The defensive experience Stuard gained last season gives the Lions added stability at the WILL linebacker spot while Rodriguez continues his rehab. He’s even better positioned to fill the special teams void left by a former All-Pro in Reeves-Maybin. With Stuard’s growth on defense and proven special teams impact, he’ll provide valuable depth across multiple phases—embodying the toughness and versatility that define Detroit’s football culture.