New Orleans Saints select Cesar Ruiz in 2020 NFL Draft: Grading the pick
With the 24th pick, the New Orleans Saints selected Cesar Ruiz, surprising fans as the offensive lineman didn’t seem to fill one of their biggest needs.
The New Orleans Saints are one of the most complete teams in the NFL. When it comes to the NFL Draft though, there are a few areas they need to improve upon. Fans were guessing as the Saints could go offense or defense.
With the 24th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz. Their offensive line does need some work, so it’s only a little surprising. Most assumed they’d go with a defensive end or possibly a wide receiver.
Either way, the Saints surprised us by selecting Ruiz who could be exactly who the team needs. With all of the buzz around their offensive players including Alvin Kamara and Emmanuel Sanders, picking Ruiz was the smart move.
Ruiz isn’t the flashy pick most of us thought the team would select. Nevertheless, the Saints kept us waiting until the last second. Ruiz is among one of the best offensive linemen and the team went with who was the best fit for them.
The New Orleans Saints seem to be following a trend as they selected Erik McCoy last season to replace Max Unger. Selecting Ruiz this year gives another major boost and ultimately, helps everyone on the offense. It does seem a little confusing so that’s why the Saints are getting a B grade.
OL. Cesar Ruiz. player. Pick Analysis. Michigan. B. 15. Scouting Report
With a full-fledged army as an offensive line, the Saints should be in good shape. With Ruiz being a quick player to boot, he’s an ideal fit for the Saints. With the team looking to make a Super Bowl this year, Ruiz could be the missing piece on offense. Regardless, there are other needs the Saints could have focused on. Nevertheless, Ruiz is a solid pick but probably not the one most of us were hoping for.
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Overall, the Saints kept with their draft strategy to go with quality over quantity. They went with a guy who can come in, make an impact, and satisfy a significant albeit not mighty need. The Saints can find some hidden gems in the later round. Even though Ruiz might not have been the “obvious” choice, it’s a smart move. Without a second-round pick, we’ll have to wait and see how the rest of their plans play out in the third round.