The Carolina Panthers and center Matt Paradis have agreed to a three-year deal worth $27 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Matt Paradis has been one of best centers in the NFL since being selected in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. He started 57 straight games before suffering a broken leg injury in Week 9.

He is only 29 years old and is expected to make a full recovery by the time the 2019 regular season begins.

Pro Football Focus ranked him the second-best center in the NFL in 2018 with a 79.0 overall grade. This would be the second time in his four years in the NFL that he has been ranked as the second-best player at his position.

Being one of the more coveted offensive linemen in free agency, the Panthers came out of nowhere to land him. He was projected to go to the New York Jets, but with Ryan Kalil's retirement, the Panthers had to act quickly to replace him.

The Jets had the second-most cap space in the NFL. It is surprising that they couldn't land Paradis. The Denver Broncos made an attempt to re-sign him, but the offer was not big enough to keep him around.

There should be some concerns with his broken leg injury, though; it could hinder his mobility. However, his leadership and knowledge of the game should be beneficial for the Panthers as they try to prevent another shoulder injury to Cam Newton.

With this signing, the Panthers solidify the interior of their offensive line. Newton's protection and the Panthers' run game should be much improved with the addition of Matt Paradis.