Chargers: Five free agents of interest to pursue this offseason
Justin Pugh:
In 2017, the Los Angeles Chargers were among the league’s worst when it came to run blocking. According to Football Outsiders, the team was the 26th ranked line in this regard.
This is no surprise, as the offensive line has been a weakness for the team ever since Nick Hardwick retired. Next year we should see both offensive tackles, Joe Barksdale and Russell Okung, return, as well as young guards Spencer Pulley and Forrest Lamp.
The interesting wrinkle in this is that the team is reportedly moving Spencer Pulley to center, leaving a spot open at guard.
That is where veteran guard, Justin Pugh, comes in. The former New York Giant is an unrestricted free agent and would be a perfect fit for the Chargers. Playing alongside two very young players on the interior line, the veteran presence of Pugh can go a long way in helping them improve.
Pugh will likely be a fairly expensive player, but for the Chargers, he is worth the money. The addition of Pugh and second-year guard Forrest Lamp, who missed the entirety of his rookie season, should make the team’s offensive line no longer an area of concern, but even a strength.