Los Angeles Chargers 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft: Post-free agency

With the 37th pick of this 2020 NFL mock draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select IOL Cesar Ruiz, Michigan.

After enrolling early at Michigan (Ruiz will only be 20 years old at the start of minicamp), Ruiz quickly found himself in the lineup and started five games as the right guard for the Wolverines. Before his sophomore season, he switched to center and would go on to start all 26 games over the next two seasons.

Ruiz (6-foot-4, 319 pounds) plays with a nasty demeanor and has the brute strength to walk defenders out of lanes and control the line of scrimmage. He has excellent mobility for someone his size and it’s a common site to see him spring runs on blocks in the second level.

Ruiz does not have excellent length which can become an occasional issue when going against longer-armed defensive lineman. When he is not able to get his hands on them first and use his strength to his advantage it can lead to some ugly reps.

His fit with the Los Angeles Chargers: Evidenced by his signing Bulaga and trading for right guard Trai Turner from the Carolina Panthers, Tom Telesco has devoted this off-season to attempting to fix the offensive line.

With the news that center Mike Pouncey has not been cleared for football activities after injuring his neck last season, the Chargers now severely lack IOL depth and possibly a new center if Pouncey can not return to form.

Ruiz being able to play both guard and center spots will be a massive selling point for Telesco as he continues to rebuild the  offensive line. He will enter training camp and have an opportunity to win either the left guard or center spot on the line, or at worst, be valuable depth when the injury bugs comes knocking.