Every day we’ll take a look at one of the Detroit Lions heading for free agency, what he has meant to the team before and a prognosis on whether he’ll be back with the club in 2015. Previous free agents profiled are here.
Free agent to be: C.J. Mosley
Position: Defensive tackle
Age: 31
Years in the league: 10
What he made last season: His cap number was $1,544,747 with a base salary in cash of $1,550 million and a workout bonus of $2,100.
What he did last season: He was a valuable third tackle for the Lions who ended up starting the final nine games of the season for Detroit after Nick Fairley's knee injury. He had one of the best seasons of his career in 2014, with 26 tackles and having 2.5 sacks. Much like a lot of other Lions' linemen, he greatly benefited from the consistent attention paid to Ndamukong Suh. Mosley's one-game suspension hurt the Lions, though, as it came in London -- the game Fairley was injured in.
His potential market value: Decent. Though he is edging out of his prime and will be 32 by the time the 2014 regular season hits, he is one of the better defensive tackles out there. Considering it is a position of some need for multiple teams, Mosley should be able to command a little bit higher than the veteran minimum a lot of players his age might receive. If he does return, he could end up as a starter.
Will he fit the Lions: Schematically, he would, and he was a charismatic guy in the defensive line room. Depending what happens with Suh and, to an extent, with Fairley, Mosley could be brought back as a starter next season or the third tackle. Any deal with him is likely to be a short-term situation because of his age and the likelihood Detroit drafts a tackle to be a starter no later than 2016.
What happens: Though a lot of options are on the table here, it is somewhat likely Mosley is playing somewhere else in 2015. He will almost definitely sign with someone and have a role in a 4-3 defense somewhere in the NFL next season, but there are much higher priorities for the Lions at this point and he should be able to make more money somewhere else. If Detroit can free up room, though, he could return.