Detroit Lions: 10 Players Who Could Be Gone in 2016
By Zac Snyder
Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of the Detroit Lions logo at the 50-yard line during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
C.J. Wilson
The Lions’ plans to rebuild their defensive tackle rotation following the departure of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley didn’t work out as hoped. Tyrunn Walker ended up on injured reserve and rookie Gabe Wright has battled through injury and uneven play.
Picking up C.J. Wilson on the waiver wire from the Oakland Raiders was a good move for his versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line, but Wilson brings with him another year on his contract that will count for $2.3 million against the 2016 salary cap. With no dead money on the deal, that all comes off the books if Wilson is released.
There will still be needs on the defensive line to be addressed in the offseason, but that can be done through a combination of low cost rookies while any bigger dollars spent in free agency can be used more effectively. The Lions to add some impact on their defensive line – an impact bigger than Wilson can bring.
Next: Rashean Mathis