Green Bay Packers: 5 Surprise first-round picks in play for 2020 NFL Draft

By Joe Kipp | Apr 11, 2020

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. #11 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers reacts against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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Green Bay Packers, 2020 NFL Draft, Cesar Ruiz (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

2. Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan

The Packers have one of the most reliable centers in the NFL in Corey Linsley, but there’s one problem. Linsley’s contract expires in 2021, and there’s no guarantee that the team will re-sign him. Green Bay has other key free agents to re-sign next offseason – namely Kenny Clark and David Bakhtiari – which is a big reason the team would be wise to address Linsley’s potential replacement sooner than later.

By selecting Michigan center Cesar Ruiz in the first round, the Packers would be making a bold statement about Linsley’s future. Sure, Ruiz could be moved to guard if the Packers elect to move on from Billy Turner as a salary cap casualty next season, but it makes more sense to groom Ruiz as the future replacement for Linsley.

Ruiz was an excellent anchor in the middle of Michigan’s offensive line in 2019. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just nine quarterback pressures and zero sacks on 482 pass-blocking snaps. Ruiz can play all three positions along the interior offensive line, as well, which is why he’ll appeal to several teams.

If the Packers take an interior offensive lineman in the early rounds it wouldn’t be shocking to see Ruiz’s name called. He’s one of the most talented interior linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft and would be an excellent backup plan to Linsley in 2021.

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