3 free agent guards the Panthers could sign post-NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Ronald Leary
There is no questioning Ron Leary’s blocking talent. The undrafted product out of Memphis has worked hard to make himself a valuable contributor at the next level.
He enjoyed some success with the Dallas Cowboys before eventually joining the Denver Broncos on a big-money deal. Leary has had his trouble with injuries in recent years and has not played a full season since his rookie campaign.
The player has missed 19 of the last 48 games, so he will need to prove he is fit enough to make a strong impression for any NFL team to take a chance on him going forward.
This represents an intriguing proposition for the Carolina Panthers. Leary could be willing to accept a short-term, incentivized deal that could work out well for both parties providing he is rid of the problems that have blighted his career in recent seasons.
When Leary is at the top of his game, he is a commanding presence on the offensive line interior. Although he had played almost 5,000 snaps, at 31-years-old the player still has relatively low mileage for a veteran guard and this is another thing that might tempt a team into giving him another chance.
Panthers’ head coach Matt Rhule has made a concerted effort to go younger in the during his short time with the franchise. While that is to be commended during a rebuild, there is no substitute for experience, and Leary represents a good-value pickup in finances permit.