Lions free-agent profile: Crezdon Butler

To get ready for free agency, we're going to take a look at each of the Detroit Lions' 2016 free agents. Next up, Crezdon Butler.

2015 stats

8 games (0 starts) | 3 tackles

How he joined the Detroit Lions

Butler signed a futures contract with the Lions in January 2015. After being a part of the Lions' final preseason cuts, he rejoined the team in November after Rashean Mathis was placed on the injured reserve list and the Lions were in desperate need for a cornerback.

Case for re-signing him

The career journeyman didn't bring a lot to the Lions in 2015, only playing in a mere 23 snaps on defense. However, in his limited playing time, he made one of the most memorable plays of the season. In his very first game with Detroit, Butler broke up an Aaron Rodgers two-point conversion attempt, essentially winning the game for the Lions in Lambeau.

While you wouldn't expect Butler to truly compete for a starting job and he'd have an uphill battle to even make the final 53-man roster, he'd be an extremely cheap camp body and if he continues to flash signs of talent, he could add surprise depth.

Case against re-signing him

Butler was out of the NFL for a month last year. From mid-October to mid-November, Butler was spending his Sundays watching games from his home. And at age 28, Butler is no spring chicken. He is not practice squad eligible and would be a pretty big long shot to make the final roster.

In his six seasons in the NFL, Butler has played for eight different teams and only started three games. It may sound harsh, but Butler just doesn't have the talent to hang around the NFL any longer.

Final verdict

The only rationale for bringing Butler back would be to use him as a familiar camp body. Butler is on his ninth life in the NFL and his best chance in finding a team next year would be for him to land on a cornerback-desperate team like the 2015 Lions. Unfortunately for Butler, the Lions are no longer that desperate at the position, with Alex Carter and Nevin Lawson providing adequate depth next season. At this point, there's really no point for the Lions and Butler to continue this relationship.

Previously: QB Dan Orlovsky, WR Lance Moore, TE Bear Pascoe, DT Tyrunn Walker, DT Jermelle Cudjo, DT Haloti Ngata, DE Jason Jones, DE Darryl Tapp, DE Corey Wootton, LB Tahir Whitehead, LB Travis Lewis, CB Josh Wilson,S Isa Abdul-Quddus, S James Ihedigbo