Lions free-agent profile: C.J. Mosley

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 defensive tackle C.J. Mosley.

2014 stats

15 games (8 starts) | 26 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF

How he joined the Lions

Signed as a free agent in April 2013.

Case for re-signing him

Since it seems unlikely that both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley will be back, the Lions are probably going to have a starting spot to fill at defensive tackle. The simplest way to fill that spot would be by re-signing Mosley, who made eight starts in place of Fairley last season. Mosley played quite well as a starter, and I can't imagine there will be a huge market for him considering he is going to be 32 years old next season. Plus, re-signing Mosley would provide extra insurance at the position in case the Lions don't draft a defensive tackle this year.

Case against re-signing him

Although Mosley played well last season, getting younger by taking this opportunity to draft a defensive tackle likely would be a better move in the long run. It's true that you don't necessarily want to be in a situation where at least one starting spot has to be filled by a rookie, but the Lions could always get younger via free agency as well.

Final verdict

Given the uncertainty surrounding Suh and Fairley, I really like the idea of re-signing Mosley. As mentioned earlier, he did quite well as a fill-in starter last season, and I wouldn't have an issue with the Lions going into next season with him and Suh as the two starters at defensive tackle. Heck, even Mosley and Fairley would be a decent combination of starters. More than anything, I guess it's just scary to think about a scenario where Suh, Fairley and Mosley all depart. Mosley should be the easiest to re-sign of the three, and keeping him around for 2015 just seems like a wise move.

Previously: QB Dan Orlovsky, QB Kellen Moore, FB Jed Collins, WR Jeremy Ross, TE Kellen Davis, OT Corey Hilliard, OG Rob Sims, OG Garrett Reynolds, C Dominic Raiola, DE Darryl Tapp, DE George Johnson, DT Ndamukong Suh, DT Nick Fairley