Lions free-agent profile: Corey Hilliard

To get ready for free agency, we're going to take a look at each of the Detroit Lions' 2015 free agents. Next up is offensive tackle Corey Hilliard.

2014 stats

1 game (0 starts) | Allowed 0 sacks, 0 QB hits, 1 QB hurry (via Pro Football Focus)

How he joined the Lions

Signed off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in December 2009.

Case for re-signing him

The Lions have had a lot of injury issues at right tackle in recent seasons. Hilliard has been a part of that, but having some veteran depth at the position would be wise going forward. As long as Hilliard has recovered from his season-ending foot injury, what's the harm in bringing him back on a minimum type of contract?

Case against re-signing him

Perhaps instead of relying on someone who is coming off a season-ending injury as extra depth, the Lions would be better off going in a different direction at offensive tackle. That could mean signing a veteran free agent, drafting someone or rolling the dice with an undrafted free agent. LaAdrian Waddle and Cornelius Lucas have worked out pretty well for being UDFAs, so getting younger might be the right move at tackle.

Final verdict

Assuming he's healthy and is willing to sign a minimum type of deal, there's really no downside to bringing back Hilliard. They need some veteran depth at offensive tackle, and Hilliard has filled in reasonably well when called upon to start in the past. Plus, it's not like re-signing Hilliard would stop the Lions from making other moves at offensive tackle, so why not bring him back for another year?

Previously: QB Dan Orlovsky, QB Kellen Moore, FB Jed Collins, WR Jeremy Ross, TE Kellen Davis