Beyond Odell Beckham Jr., free agency has produced a few later-than-usual headlines this season. The Eagles bolstered their defensive line recently, signing Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh, while the Chiefs added longtime Ravens D-tackle Brandon Williams. A veteran interior offensive lineman is now drawing interest.
Matt Paradis has been available since March, but after undergoing ACL reconstructive surgery, the former Broncos and Panthers center needed several months to receive clearance. He has since received it, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who adds teams have expressed interest (Twitter link).
Despite coming into the NFL in 2014, Paradis did not see his first game action came until his age-26 season. That year turned out to be his most notable, with the Broncos turning to the former sixth-round pick as a starter during a Super Bowl-winning campaign. But Paradis is on the older end for a player with seven years’ experience. Now 33, the Boise State product is preparing to join a new team.
Paradis did not miss a snap in four of his seven seasons and made 98% of Carolina’s offensive snaps in 2019, but he suffered injuries in his Denver contract year (2018) and last season, limiting him to nine games in each. Like Chase Young, a year has already passed since Paradis’ ACL tear.
It will be interesting to see if a team signs Paradis soon, as proven O-linemen are generally scooped up. Paradis has made 98 career starts. Pro Football Focus preferred his Denver seasons to the years he logged in Carolina, but if healthy, the former Day 3 pick could be an upgrade for at least a few teams.
Ironically the first team that comes to my mind is the Panthers.
Tennessee could also use a center of Jones does not return soon, so they can avoid the reshuffled line that they’ve been having to use. Radunz has not show much improvement and his pass protection is a great liability. Ben Jones getting back will alleviate that issue, but if he can’t for some reason, Paradis will fill a much needed wish for Tennessee.
Stepping in if Jones can’t return would make sense. Radunz is his own can of worms. Paradis and Jones are both center-only at this stage (Paradis always was, Jones hasn’t played anything else since 2018 and hasn’t played more than an emergency game at guard since 2014). As for Carolina, I think Bozeman is a better and younger option at this stage.
I agree with your assessment, especially with the inflexibility of Jones and Paradis position wise. I doubt that Tennessee keeps Jones out again, but having another option at center if he does not return would keep Radunz out of the starting five, which would be a plus (at least for now).
The Panthers comment I made was incorrect. Carolina has actually had a very good return on their free agent and draft investments inside and outside the line. It’s only complete unit teamwide that has played well as a whole.
RR & JM know him (Commanders). They should sign him
49ers!!!
John Lynch needs to bring him in today!
Does one major injury make a player untouchable, or is it enough to see some positive post-injury play?