New England Patriots 2020 NFL Draft: Cesar Ruiz fills O-line needs
NFL draft prospect Cesar Ruiz checks several draft boxes for the New England Patriots at the center and guard position.
The New England Patriots may be at a crossroads in the 2020 season.
Patriots’ free agency and draft decisions should be predicated on whether or not Tom Brady returns. As history has shown, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will. This series will pinpoint players that would be great fits for the Patriots in the upcoming NFL draft next month.
Today’s player – Cesar Ruiz, Center/Guard from Michigan.
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While having constantly harped that the Patriots will need to draft an offensive tackle in the first round should Tom Brady remain their quarterback, I’m now switching gears a bit to suggest that Ruiz may be a terrific alternative.
Again, this is predicated on a big “IF” – IF Tom Brady remains at the helm in 2020 (and hopefully beyond in this writer’s view).
So why switch gears?
It’s not exactly a sea change. The Patriots offensive line needs an infusion of youth at tackle and guard and possibly center. Ruiz fills needs. Commentators bashing my stressing that the optimum move if Brady returns would be to draft an offensive left tackle in the first round, indicate that Isaiah Wynn and Marcus Cannon are a solid set of tackles. No real argument from me on that.
But, according to Pro Football Reference, Wynn has played only 8 games in his first two seasons. (durability is thus a concern) and Pro Football Reference also indicates that while Cannon has actually been more durable during that time frame, he will be 32 in May.
Ruiz fills key needs on the offensive line
But here comes the real need – in addition, the New England Patriots will likely lose Joe Thuney their best offensive lineman and maybe backup center/guard Ted Karras to free agency. This leaves gaps at offensive left guard and at backup center.
Also, David Andrews, their excellent center, suffered from a health ailment that kept him out of action the entire 2019 season. Cover here is essential with Ted Karras also possibly departing. That’s where Ruiz comes in.
The Michigan center/guard would fit the bill nicely for the New England Patriots. Draft Guru Mel Kiper commented on Ruiz last month on 247Sports .
"“I think Ruiz is one of the more underrated linemen in this draft,” Kiper said on his ESPN podcast. “He is right there with Tyler Biadasz. The more I watched him, the guy moves well for a big guy. He’s played guard early on. Then he has been a center the last two years. Pass protection, great kid, hard worker. I think he’s a guy that you could make a strong argument as the best center in this draft. Biadasz is a really good player. We’ll see how they test out when we get to Indianapolis in a couple of weeks.”"
As Kiper noted, a center/guard combination, Ruiz checks off a lot of boxes for the Patriots on the offensive line. He would be a great addition as a backup for center David Andrews who will hopefully be ready to return in 2020 after being out all of 2019 – or as insurance if he’s not ready.
Also, he could slot in at offensive left guard as a starter if Joe Twoney leaves in free agency. That versatility is seemingly coveted by the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick. His ability to step in at any of the three interior line positions would be a real plus.
Next. New England Patriots 2020 NFL Draft: Justin Herbert the QB to watch. dark
At 6-foot-3, 307 pounds, Cesar Ruiz has decent though not overwhelming size for an interior lineman. But large hands are certainly an asset there.
Overall, he checks a lot of boxes for the New England Patriots as a possible draft addition to the interior offensive line – which is almost certainly going to suffer losses this off season.