With the 4 p.m. ET roster cutdown deadline looming, the Buccaneers and Colts pulled off a commerce involving second-year inside linebacker Grant Stuard. Together with Stuard, the Buccaneers despatched a 2023 seventh-round decide to the Colts in change for Indianapolis’ sixth-round decide within the upcoming draft.
The “Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2021 NFL Draft, Stuard recorded 15 tackles and a compelled fumble as a rookie whereas primarily enjoying particular groups. He acquired defensive snaps in three video games final season whereas serving to the Buccaneers win their first division title since 2007.
Stuard performed his college football at Houston, the place he noticed time as a defensive again and operating again earlier than shifting to linebacker earlier than his senior season. Named as a staff captain earlier than the beginning of the 2020 season, Stuard led Houston in tackles whereas main the American Athletic Convention in common tackles per recreation.
Stuard joins a Colts linebacker corps that’s led by Darius Leonard, a three-time All-Professional who final season led the NFL with eight compelled fumbles. With Stuard’s departure, the Buccaneers now have 5 inside linebackers together with starters Lavonte David and Devin White. K.J. Britt, a fifth-round decide in final 12 months’s draft, is anticipated to be David and White’s major backup.
How did each groups fare on this commerce? This is how the Buccaneers and Colts graded out.
Colts: A
The Colts did not quit a lot to accumulate a 23-year-old participant who has appreciable potential. Stuard can also be an completed particular groups participant who can greater than maintain his personal when requested to play linebacker. He is a pleasant addition to a staff that’s trying so as to add depth to the center of its protection.
Buccaneers: B
Give credit score to the Buccaneers for getting one thing in return for a participant they weren’t intending to maintain. That being mentioned, it is considerably of a shock that the Buccaneers determined to half methods with a participant whose finest soccer needs to be forward of him.
How Stuard fares in Indianapolis will in the end decide who gained this commerce, however for now, it seems that the Colts acquired the higher finish of the deal.
