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 or not he’ll be back with the club in 2015. Previous free agents profiled are here.

Free agent to be: George Johnson

Position: Defensive end

Age: 27

Years in the league: 5

What he made last season: He had a cap charge of $570,000 and made $730,000 in base salary according to ESPN Stats & Information.

What he did last season: Johnson, who would have quit the NFL had he not made the Lions last season, turned in a career year and might have saved his NFL future. Receiving significant playing time for the first time, Johnson had 26 tackles and six sacks -- the first time in his career he had more than five tackles in a season and recorded a sack. He became a valuable rotational end for the Lions as a sub for Ezekiel Ansah.

His potential market value: This is where it is a little tricky. He was initially listed as an unrestricted free agent, but the Lions said last week they are planning on tendering Johnson. It turns out he is a restricted free agent after all. This means teams would be able to match whatever tender the Lions would place on him -- that has not been determined. If Johnson hits free agency with a small tender number, he could have a good amount of suitors.

Will he fit the Lions: Absolutely. He was one of the best finds of the last free-agent period for Detroit, taking someone who appeared to be a camp body and turning him into a viable NFL defensive end. He is a good backup to Ansah and a strong prospect as the team’s third defensive end. There’s a good reason the Lions are trying to tender him.

What happens: This is tough to call, but it would seem likely Detroit and Johnson will agree to a deal beyond one season and he’ll return to the Lions. The Lions have enough interest in keeping him to offer a tender. One way or the other, he should be part of the Lions in 2015, at least.