According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Denver Broncos have agreed to terms with former Dallas Cowboys guard Ronald Leary on a four-year, $35 million dollar deal with $20 million guaranteed.
Broncos to sign G Ronald Leary to a four-year deal worth $35m with $20m gtd, source says. Big money for a guy once lost in the shuffle.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
Leary had a breakout year last year after replacing guard La'el Collins in the Cowboy's starting lineup at left guard. He helped pave the way for rookie Ezekiel Elliott in the run game. Now he'll slide in at left guard and start right away for the Broncos.
He will instantly help the Broncos run game as he is one of the better run blockers in the league and did not allow a single sack last season for the Cowboys.
Pro Football Focus ranked him the 16th best Free Agent on the market right now.
It’s easy to think of Ronald Leary as a backup lineman, but he was a starting guard who lost his job because Dallas lucked into La’el Collins in freakish circumstances at draft time. With Collins injured this season, Leary stepped back into the starting spot at left guard in Dallas and actually upgraded the unit. Leary didn’t allow a sack all season, but it was his run blocking that was the biggest difference, and he was not an insignificant part of Ezekiel Elliott’s league-leading season running the football.
So with the Broncos line struggling in the pass protection and run blocking department, Leary should help protect whoever the quarterback is and open up running lanes for running back C.J. Anderson and others.
Leary is only 27 years old and is listed at 6-3, 320lbs and has played four seasons in the league. He has also started 47 career games during that four-year span.
Ronald Leary has played left guard but either he or Max Garcia will switch to RG. Broncos still in play for at least 1 starting OT. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 9, 2017
9NEWS Denver's Mike Klis is saying the Broncos are not done yet. They're in play for at least one other starting offensive tackle. So we may see another one or two offensive linemen plus Calais Campbell and Tony signing with the Broncos here in the coming days.
Klis also states that we will likely see Max Garcia shift to right guard, and I believe he will battle for a starting spot with second-year guard Connor McGovern during Training Camp and the Preseason.
This is only the beginning Broncos Country! Things are about to get rather interesting here soon.