Detroit Lions: Three free agents left for Bob Quinn to sign
By Bob Heyrman
RG Ronald Leary
The Denver Broncos decided to decline Ronald Leary‘s $8-million team option making him a free agent. Denver replaced him with former Detroit Lions starter Graham Glasgow, signing him to a four-year $44-million deal at the beginning of the free-agent signing period.
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It was evident that the Lions were prepared to move on without Glasgow, but it’s a position that needs to be addressed in either free agency or the NFL draft. A week or so ago, I mentioned former Wolverine Michael Schofield as a potential target. I’d still be ok with bringing him in to compete for the job against Joshua Garnett and Beau Benzschawel. Schofield has spent time at right tackle but has been more successful as a right guard. Schofield’s versatility would make for a good backup lineman if he were to miss out on a starting job.
Other potential targets should be Daryl Williams, who can play both right guard and tackle, perhaps Josh Kline and maybe Daniel Kilgore, who can play center and guard.
Ron Leary had plenty of success early in his career playing with the Dallas Cowboys as a member of one of the best offensive lines in football. After Jerry Jones was forced to pay Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, and Tyron Smith, Leary was the odd man out.
After regularly producing stellar blocking grades with Dallas, Leary’s numbers dipped last season. According to PFF, Leary provided to rebuilding Broncos with an overall grade of 58.4, the worst of his career. That being said, his pass blocking mark was 74.7, but Leary struggled as a run blocker, only offering a 52.6 grade.
Leary is set to turn 31 years old and is coming back from an achilles injury along with a head injury. He claims he’s fully healthy, and working out.
He’d be worth a look on a one-year deal in Detroit if he finds himself with limited options. In the past, Leary had provided Dallas with above-average run-blocking grades; maybe on a ‘show me’ type contract, he’d overachieve with the Lions. Leary can provide stability at the position, whereas starting a rookie, Garnett, or Benzschawel comes with risk.
Trending. Lions trade Darius Slay to Philadelphia. light
Don’t forget Matthew Stafford‘s health should be first and foremost moving forward.