Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

The New Orleans Saints have selected Michigan interior lineman Cesar Ruiz with the No. 24 pick of the 2020 NFL draft.

Ruiz, who left Michigan after his junior season. started in five games at right guard as a true freshman, then started all 13 games in his sophomore and junior seasons at center.

Ruiz broke down in tears after the Saints called him, having one of the more emotional reactions of any draft pick in the first round.

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“It’s amazing, man," Ruiz said in a TV interview after getting drafted. "I’ve worked my whole life for this. I work my tail off every single day. Day in and day out. And it’s just an amazing feeling to hear my name called by the New Orleans Saints. It’s amazing.”

Ruiz, a 6-foot-3, 307-pound interior lineman ran a 5.08-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and had a 33-inch vertical jump.

At the combine, Ruiz said he was confident that he'd be drafted in the first round.

"Because if you look at the film, if you look at how I dominate people, if you look at my character, how smart I am, I have everything for a first rounder," Ruiz said back then.

Ruiz said he's comfortable playing at any interior position on the line, center or guard.

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Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

Keep him off da Popeyes, and the dude is a stud!

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

Good pick. Not flashy just damn good!

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

I have no idea about the Saints draft board. But, I believe they liked Murray and Jefferson if they fell. They lost those guys to teams who moved up. So, they took they guy who many have described as the best interior lineman in the draft. At first glance, they drafted a guy in the first round to be their sixth lineman. Armstead and Peat have had injury issues. Peat moves over to tackle when Armstead goes out. McCoy had a great rookie year at center. All in all, it helps stabilize the o-line for Drew's last run and really sets up the o-line to be a strength going forward. Good pick.

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

He does seem like a good kid hope his play translates on the field

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

Flashy pick no but he's damn good, young and versatile. It's basically 2 for 1 since he can play a couple OL spots. Smart move. Probably should have gone a little higher as well.

Re: Saints draft Michigan C/G Cesar Ruiz with first-round pick
 

Saints got their teeth kicked in when the playoffs start … up front.

I can never be mad when a really good interior lineman is selected in the first rd of the draft. Nothing flashy here but IMO … solid draft selection.