Lions free-agent profile: Jed Collins

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 fullback Jed Collins.

2014 stats

16 games (2 starts) | 8 carries, 19 yards | 5 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD

How he joined the Lions

Signed as a free agent in March 2014.

Case for re-signing him

When the Lions decided to once again utilize a fullback in their offense, Collins followed offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi from New Orleans to Detroit. Collins wasn't the best blocking fullback in the NFL or anything like that in 2014, and he only had 13 total touches on the season. However, he knows this system extremely well, and for how the Lions used a fullback in their offense, Collins was a good fit. The simplest way to fill that spot in 2015 is to just re-sign Collins.

Case against re-signing him

You could certainly argue that the Lions could do better at fullback, and perhaps a better blocker at that spot in 2014 would have led to a more successful rushing attack. You could also argue that the Lions could use someone who is more versatile and has more of an ability to leak out of the backfield as a receiver, which would add another dimension to the fullback spot in their offense.

Final verdict

Considering he will likely get a minimum type of deal, it would be odd if the Lions don't re-sign Collins. They should be able to bring him back, and they could later add some extra competition by signing an undrafted fullback. This would give them the opportunity to get younger at the position if the undrafted fullback impresses in training camp, and if he doesn't, then the Lions can simply go with Collins as their starter for another season.

Previously: QB Dan Orlovsky, QB Kellen Moore