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Cleveland Browns: 3 Bargain free agents still on the market

By Randy Gurzi

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 08: Paul Richardson #10 of the Washington Redskins catches the ball as Vonn Bell #24 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 08: Paul Richardson #10 of the Washington Redskins catches the ball as Vonn Bell #24 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 24: Ronald Leary #65 of the Denver Broncos attempts to block Trent Murphy #93 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of an NFL game at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo Bills defeated the Denver Broncos 20-3. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 24: Ronald Leary #65 of the Denver Broncos attempts to block Trent Murphy #93 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of an NFL game at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo Bills defeated the Denver Broncos 20-3. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. Ronald Leary, Guard

Former general manager John Dorsey made a bold move last season when he decided to trade right guard Kevin Zeitler to the New York Giants in exchange for edge rusher Olivier Vernon. He believed Vernon could give them a dynamic pass-rushing game once paired with former No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett.

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With those two improving their defense, Dorsey felt that they could justify losing the talent they surrendered on the offensive line. He also expected Austin Corbett to be able to hold up in Zeitler’s place — something that never happened.

Corbett, the No. 33 overall pick the season prior, was never able to secure the starting job. He was replaced by Eric Kush and eventually traded away. Kush also struggled to hold the job down and was replaced by Wyatt Teller.

While Teller was better than Kush, there’s still room for improvement. One option is to look for an interior lineman in the draft, but if they don’t find a player they like they could look at veteran Ronald Leary who was recently released by the Denver Broncos.

A former undrafted free agent from Memphis, Leary ended up rising to prominence with the Dallas Cowboys. A powerful run-blocker, he helped pave the way for DeMarco Murray, Darren McFadden, and Ezekiel Elliott before signing a four-year deal with Denver in 2017.

At age 30, there is still something left in the tank for Leary but he does have some concerns as well — mainly his knee condition. Leary entered the NFL with a degenerative knee condition which led to him being undrafted.

Having said that, he’s a savvy veteran that could start in a pinch and help them ease a younger player into a starting role. And considering his health, he could come in relatively cheap which makes him worth the risk.

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