Josh

LeRibeus

LeRibeus was signed late in free agency as a depth option after making three starts for the Saints last season.

LeRibeus was at Bucs tryouts and earned a spot on the 90-man roster. He’ll be a depth option at center or guard who competes for a backup spot on the active roster. LeRibeus made three starts for the Saints last year.

He injured his ankle Sunday at Baltimore. LeRibeus has been one of the worst interior linemen in football this year, earning PFF’s No. 66 grade out of 74 qualifiers at guard.

LeRibeus logged 205 snaps at guard last season, earning a positive grade in pass protection but struggling as a run-blocker. He’s just a depth signing.

After missing the 2010 campaign due to academic ineligibility and later putting on too much weight, LeRibeus slowly built up his draft stock last season. A Mike Shanahan zone-blocking fit, LeRibeus’ strengths are quickness, toughness, and explosion off the ball. He should get an opportunity to compete with Kory Lichtensteiger for the starting left guard job.

LeRibeus was a power-blocking guard at Southern Methodist, but the Redskins are turning him into a zone-blocking center. If athletic enough to execute the transition, LeRibeus could supplant Will Montgomery in a season or two.

A power-blocking guard in June Jones’ SMU spread, LeRibeus has moved to center in Washington, practicing there exclusively in OTAs. LeRibeus figures to be a top “swing” interior reserve during his first season. Once he learns to zone block, LeRibeus could push for a full-time role as soon as 2013.

Lichtensteiger started all 17 games in 2012. Coach Mike Shanahan recently called him the team’s best run blocker, but Pro Football Focus graded Lichtensteiger out as 81-of-81 among qualifying guards in the category. Washington has 2012 third-rounder Josh LeRibeus ready to step in at left guard.

LeRibeus looked overmatched in 11 starts at center last season, and he did not do enough to earn a backup job in camp. A 2012 third-rounder, he is at best a backup at this point.

LeRibeus spent this season out of the league after getting waived from Washington at final cuts. He was an 11-game starter in 2015. LeRibeus can play all three interior line spots and gives the Eagles offseason depth.