FanSided’s Justin Carter and other outlets argue Ruiz could fit LA’s new look O-line, even if his run-blocking has been inconsistent. He graded well in pass protection, ranking 13th among guards by PFF last season, and his interior versatility—potentially at center—could help a Chargers unit that was harassed too often in 2023.
Several roster dynamics add context to the discussion. Guard Zion Johnson is set to hit free agency, and the Chargers have already used trade targets like Mekhi Becton and Bradley Bozeman in the past, now more likely to be cut. Trading Ruiz after June 1 could save about $9.5 million in cap space, a significant consideration for a team with room to maneuver.
But there are risks. Ruiz carries a dead-cap hit of roughly $14.196 million over the 2026 and 2027 seasons, a cost the Chargers would have to weigh against any immediate on-field gains. Any deal would likely require Saints adding high-value draft picks as part of the exchange while the Saints continue their rebuild.
Ultimately, LA’s priority remains stabilizing the interior line to protect Herbert and support the run game. Whether Ruiz is the right fit and whether a trade materializes will hinge on how the Chargers balance cap savings, long-term dead money, and the draft assets required to pry a starter from New Orleans.
In sum, Ruiz represents a plausible, low-cost route to bolster the O-line amid cap flexibility, but the move would entail significant trade considerations and long-term financial implications that the Chargers must carefully weigh.
