The 2020 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Cesar Ruiz 2020 NFL Draft profile.

Background

Position: Offensive Guard/Center

Size: 6-foot-3, 307 pounds

Class: Junior

2019 stats: All Big-Ten Second Team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaSAU2zBKkY

Ruiz entered college football as an Under Armour All-American after ending his high school career at IMG Academy. He then went to Michigan and had three solid seasons before declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft.

As a freshman, Ruiz started 10 games, including five starts at right guard. Michigan went 8-5 that season and finished the season with a loss in the Outback Bowl. He was a full-time starter as a sophomore at center and was an All Big-Ten Third Team selection. In 2018, Michigan won 10 games, but lost in the Peach Bowl to Florida. Ruiz returned at center for his junior season and helped pave the way for a 9-4 season. Michigan lost the Citrus Bowl to Alabama to finish off the season, but Ruiz was a Third Team All-Big Ten selection.

After a successful college career, Ruiz decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a late first-round or second-round pick.

Strengths

He has great mobility for a lineman, which helps him in a variety of areas. Ruiz can stay in front of fast pass rushers when they move inside. Ruiz can also be effective on plays where he pulls and screens. On plays where he needs to get to the second level, he is able to get to linebackers and defensive backs and clear bigger holes for his running back.

His mobility is great, but he also has good strength. The combination of the two make him a player that NFL teams will want to work with. Ruiz can hold his own against powerful pass rushers, despite not being the biggest center. He can also move bodies in the running game to help move the ball.

Ruiz should be able to fit in anywhere on the interior of the offensive line. With other players in this class are resigned to just being a guard or a center, Ruiz can play both. He started his career at right guard for Michigan and has since been a great center. His versatility will make him more valuable as teams with needs at any interior line spot can select Ruiz and plug him into the lineup.

Weaknesses

The biggest thing Ruiz needs to work on is his technique. He relies on his mobility and power to win and forgets the finer details of being an offensive lineman. He has strong hands, but can improve his ability to strike with better timing and placement. His feet move fast, but he will need to clean up some minor footwork issues as well.

Ruiz lacks the desired length of an NFL offensive lineman. He measured with 33 1/8″ arms at the NFL Combine, but did show some struggles with pass rushers who could extend their arms against them. With improved technique, his lack of length won’t be as big of an issue.

He is very strong for his size, but he only weighs 307 pounds. Ruiz was facing smaller defenders in college than he will be in the pros, so it is possible that he could be overpowered by bigger pass rushers. If he can add some more good weight to his frame, Ruiz could be a more complete interior offensive lineman.

Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick

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