The New York Giants need to plug several positions with fresh talent from the 2020 NFL Draft, and having the 4th and 36th overall picks allow them to grab two talented players.
At 4th overall, GM Dave Gettleman may grab an offensive tackle, but his history drafting suggests that he might wait until the second or third round to grab a developmental prospect. Alternatively, he could snag a top prospect like Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, or Mekhi Becton.
While the offensive tackle spot does need support, the center position is also a significant void that wasn’t filled in free agency. With Jon Halapio an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the draft could be an excellent place for the Giants to grab a starter for the foreseeable future. That’s where Cesar Ruiz enters the frame.
What the New York Giants would get in Cesar Ruiz:
Michigan center Cesar Ruiz is a phenomenal prospect with a chip on his shoulder. When Ruiz was eight-years-old, his father was killed, helping change someone’s tire on the shoulder of the highway. The center’s grit and toughness come from his father, and he plays with an aggressive mentality but a fundamentalistic approach.
Ruiz is a tenacious offensive lineman with impressive technique and athleticism at the center position. His quality in blocking schemes and getting to the next level in the run game makes him the top option at the position, and he could easily slip to No. 36 with a bit of luck. The Giants could use a big upgrade at the position, and he undoubtedly fits the bill.
Here’s a look at his positives and negatives, per his NFL Draft profile (Lance Zierlein):
Pros:
- Excellent snap-to-step quickness
- Waits for defender to declare before capturing and securing the block
- Consistent to run feet through double-teams and down-blocks
- Plays with bend and leverage
- Fluid on the go and can lead the charge on wide pulls and screens
- Tenacious demeanor from whistle to whistle
- Early into pass sets with good hand placement
- Compact, stiff pass punch with good arm extension
- Clear eyes to identify pre- and post-snap danger
- Consistent base width throughout pass sets
- Has feet and lateral slide to mirror anyone in front of him
Cons:
- Frame appears to lack desired width
- Could benefit from better acceleration and thump into first blow
- Needs to work at steering blocks into position
- Positional blocker with average face-up power
- Could struggle to set a shallow anchor against NFL bull-rushers