On Monday, the Detroit Lions acquired offensive lineman Juice Scruggs from the Houston Texans as part of a trade involving star running back David Montgomery. Along with Scruggs, Detroit also received a 4th-round and a 7th-round draft pick, while Montgomery moved to Houston, according to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero.
Scruggs’ Journey from Penn State to the NFL
Juice Scruggs entered the NFL following the 2022 college football season after leaving Penn State. He was selected in the second round, 62nd overall, by the Houston Texans. Throughout his first three professional seasons, Scruggs has appeared in 37 games and started 20 of them, contributing at both center and guard positions.
Performance Highlights and Team Challenges
In 2023, Scruggs made his postseason debut, playing every offensive snap during the Texans’ decisive victory over the Cleveland Browns. Although the Houston offensive line showed some progress in 2025, persistent protection issues for quarterback CJ Stroud were a major factor in the team’s early playoff exit. Houston’s line performance had been among the NFL’s weakest over the previous two seasons.
New Beginnings Ahead in Detroit
Scruggs will join the Detroit Lions’ offensive line, which is facing challenges of its own and appears to be trending downward. The trade represents a fresh opportunity for Scruggs to bolster the Lions’ unit, aiming to stabilize their protection schemes as the team seeks improved results in future seasons.
Details and Implications of the Trade
Along with offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, Detroit received two draft picks—one in the 4th round and another in the 7th round—as part of the deal that sent David Montgomery to Houston. This exchange highlights Houston’s desire to strengthen their offensive line depth while Detroit hopes to add versatility and experience upfront.
“Compensation update: The Texans are sending OL Juice Scruggs, a 4th-rounder and a 7th-rounder to Detroit for David Montgomery.” ?Tom Pelissero, NFL Reporter
Compensation update: The Texans are sending OL Juice Scruggs, a 4th-rounder and a 7th-rounder to Detroit for David Montgomery. https://t.co/EQaSP8sW1e
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 2, 2026
