When you say, offensive guard, in San Diego, everyone says, Kris Dielman.  When you mention, offensive line Pro Bowl player, everyone says Dielman.  When you say power blocker , excellent pass protector, agile enough to sustain 2nd level blocks…everyone says Dielman.

But Louis Vasquez might be ready to take that torch from…you know who.

If Louis Vasquez keeps playing at the intensity and level he has been for the last 4 games, then people in San Diego just might start thinking of the right guard from San Diego as being the dominant offensive Pro Bowler.

Louis Vasquez has averaged an 83% run assignments grade over the first four games and a +2.7 power score.  The closest right guard in the AFC West after 4 games is Chris Kuper from Denver, who has averaged a 79% assignments grade and a +.5 power score (AFC West Scores here).  Yes, that’s right…plus, point, five.  Vasquez has averaged +2.2 points higher than the closest peer in the AFC West when it comes to dominating defenders.

Vasquez has shown through 4 games of the season that he has the power to move defenders off the line, the quickness to get to the second level and the agility to lock on to defenders and sustain 2nd level blocks.  And he leads the AFC West in pull blocking scores with an average of +2.o per game.  A full 1.5 points above his nearest right guard counterpart in the AFC West.

Right Guard Run Blocking Performance

Grade

Bar

Run

Power

Pull

2nd

Avg.

Score

Blocks

Level

Vasquez

83%

+2.7

+2.0

+2.5

Ok.  So the guy has power.  But power guys often times have trouble in the passing game.  They like to lean into the defender too much and often times their feet are not as agile.  How has Louis Vasquez been doing in pass defense?

Right Guard Pass Blocking Performance

Grade

Bar

Pass

Power

Pressure

Help

Avg.

Score

Game

Blocks

Vasquez

91%

+2.5

1.7

14.7

Vasquez has averaged a 91% pass protection score over the first 4 games of the season.  The most impressive part is that he averages a +2.5 power score, which is hard to do as a guard.  That score means that Louis Vasquez has been giving more than he has been getting in the passing game.  It means he frequently dictates the action.  He means…again, that he is 1.5 points over his nearest counterparts in the AFC West in pass blocking dominance.

Chris Dielman has had a great career and is currently a great player.  But Louis Vasquez is currently the best offensive guard on the San Diego Chargers line.