Lions free-agent profile: Rob Sims

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 guard Rob Sims.

2014 stats

16 games (16 starts) | Allowed 5 sacks, 6 QB hits, 22 QB hurries (via Pro Football Focus)

How he joined the Lions

Traded from the Seattle Seahawks in April 2010.

Case for re-signing him

Even though Sims has had some struggles in recent seasons, he's been extremely dependable at left guard. In fact, he's started every single game for the Lions since 2010. On top of that, he finished the 2014 season with a pretty strong performance in the final seven weeks or so, and he's indicated that he wants to stay in Detroit. In other words, Sims could be willing to re-sign at a pretty affordable salary, and bringing him back would lessen the need for help at offensive guard this offseason.

Case against re-signing him

The Lions have been burned in the past by keeping players a year or two longer than they should, and they have to be careful to not let that happen with Sims. The reality is he's had a lot of struggles the last two seasons, and rather than bank on him returning to form next season, it might be best to just move on and upgrade the left guard spot now.

Final verdict

This is a tough call. On the one hand, getting younger by drafting an interior lineman for the third year in a row is an intriguing proposition, and moving on from Sims by upgrading at left guard is something that will have to happen at some point in the next year or two, so why delay the inevitable? The flip side is that Sims did have a strong finish to the 2014 season, and given his desire to stay with the Lions, it's possible that he could be re-signed to a pretty affordable deal.

In my view, if Sims is in fact willing to sign at an affordable rate, bringing him back would ultimately make a lot of sense. The Lions could still make a move for the future by drafting someone to step in at left guard, and Sims' presence would allow them to take things slowly and not rush a rookie into a starting spot. Of course, much like Larry Warford a couple years ago, that rookie could be ready to start from day one, and in that case, Sims could still mentor him and provide some solid depth at guard as a backup.

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