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.

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

Win now. This pick helps Brees stay upright.

We all know Brees's Achilles heel is pressure up the gut. Its practically the only way to stop him.

This pick may also help Brees play an extra year.

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

And also, life for our post-Brees QB will be sweet with an elite O-Line in place.

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

(NBC Sports has left the chat)

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

He is the best interior offensive lineman in this class, and it's not close. Melvin Kiper

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

I have little doubt he's going to be an above average player for us. I can't complain about beefing up the front line but a player maker on defense would have been nice. Giving Davis some help on the second level would have had a bigger impact IMO.

I wonder if we go LB or WR next. Some lucky team is going to feast in this second round. There's a boatload of talent to be had.

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

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

Liking the pick more today but I wonder about the shortened offseason. Seems like the offensive line would benefit from OTAs and mini camp more than any other position group. Especially since we will be shuffling players who are all pretty young.

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

Looks like he’ll fit in perfectly in our locker room...

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

Hadn't seen it posted here yet but did any see that tweet from Nick Underhill last night? Sean Payton said that they didn't bring in Ruiz @ 24 to be a back up.

"Larry is gonna have to compete".

The Vikings wildcard playoff game and Warford's performance may have sealed his fate in New Orleans. Something didn't sit well with coach and Warford's inability to protect our QB up the middle.

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

And I guess Larry is going to primarily compete with McCoy.

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

:bng::bng:

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

Starting around 9:01 … sounds like Sean may "trade up" to round 2? Assuming his guy is still on the board.

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

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

A quote from Ruiz, “ I was born to play center”. Sean Payton on draft day “ we need a guard, hey, let draft Ruiz”. Welcome to right guard Ruiz.

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

Coach is just going wild on twitter. Really riled up the Brown's fans.

Need a T-shirt along the Honey Badger don't give a f... But for Coach instead

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

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

Nope. Welcome to right guard McCoy.

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

Yes word is out here in Cleveland... Saints have called to move up into the 2nd round.

Lets see if they have someone to take the trade.

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

Right guard, center … whatever.

At the end of the day, I'm just glad we drafted a young dawg to help solidify the O line. Niners re tooled their D line so we need to be able to protect Brees better … specifically when it matters most.

Playoff time.

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

And lose.

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

TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame; Height: 6' 6", Weight: 262 lbs.
DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa; Height: 6' 5", Weight: 275 lbs.

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

I don't know anything about this guy but he looks sexy as hell to me in the film. O-line is not a sexy draft pick for most folks but I think you win in the trenches and winning is sexy! I've been beating the table for a tackle we could move inside but I couldn't be more excited about a new starting O-lineman.

Ruis may be better at diagnosing plays which allows us to kick McCoy out to either guard position.

We have some trade options now to get us back in the second round from teams weak at protecting their QB. Personally, I think we could easily trade Warford and Keep Easton at back up for either guard position. We also have Tom and Clapp that have potential.

I've noticed that we don't have a mid round pick to start on the O-line anymore. We invest heavily in the trenches now. Carl Nicks has left the building and we haven't had that much success in the mid rounds outside of Armstead who has an injury history.

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