Continuing my look at the top 10 unrestricted free agents for the Carolina Panthers is a player that has played a big role in stopping the run the past two seasons.

Next up: No. 6, DT Colin Cole

Reason to re-sign: He’s what general manager Dave Gettleman would call a space-eater. At 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds, Cole eats up blocks and allows linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis to make plays behind him. That’s an important part of what Carolina does to stop the run. He’s started 23 regular-season games the past two seasons, including 10 this past year. He wants to return and provides solid leadership for a line with two budding stars in Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short as part of a four-man rotation. He won’t demand top dollar and likely would take a one-year deal.

Reason not to re-sign: He’ll be 35 in June. That’s getting up there, although in playing years he’s not as old since he was out of the league for almost two and a half years after being released by Seattle in 2011. Lotulelei and Short are experienced enough after two years that they don’t need that type of veteran leadership. The Panthers need to draft or find in free agency young talent to mix into the rotation.

Prediction: I’m leaning toward Carolina keeping him or Dwan Edwards, who will come later in the rankings. It’s hard for me to see them keeping both since the team has to start preparing for the future. The goal of this defense is to stop the run first, and Cole showed last season he’s still effective in what he does.