2015 Detroit Lions roster review: Re-signing Don Muhlbach a priority

As part of our season wrap-up series, we are going to examine how each player on the roster performed in 2015. To conclude the series, let's take a look at the Detroit Lions' special teams players.

K Matt Prater

2015 stats: 16 games | FGs: 22-24, long 59 | XPs: 36-39 (1 blocked)
2016 status: Signed through 2017

Despite the missed extra points, Prater had an excellent 2015 season. Through Week 14, he had not missed a single field goal all year. Prater even added the cherry on top of his near-perfect season by kicking a franchise long 59-yard field goal in the final game of the season.

P Sam Martin

2015 stats: 16 games | 80 punts, 46.0 avg., 42.0 net avg. | 73 kickoffs, 40 touchbacks
2016 status: Signed through 2016

As far as punters go, seasons don't get much better than Martin's. He ranked fifth in the NFL in net punt average. He also pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 25 times and only punted through the endzone three times all season.

LS Don Muhlbach

2015 stats: 16 games 
2016 status: Unrestricted free agent

Last year Muhlbach did what he's done for nearly all 12 years as a the Lions' long snapper: do his job successfully without any fanfare. He also had a few perfect snaps on fake punts. He's a real pro.

Outlook for 2016

2015 was a great season for the Lions' special teamers and Detroit will want to replicate the performance next year. In order to do that, they need to make signing Muhlbach a fairly high priority. Don will be 35-years old before the season starts, so retirement is in play, but as long as he's willing to come back, the Lions should re-sign him without a second thought.

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