The New York Giants are looking at plenty of offensive linemen, but Cesar Ruiz should be a name to keep an eye on in the NFL Draft.
There are more holes for the Giants to fill than not, but the upcoming NFL Draft offers loads of talent to choose from to solidify positions of need. Offensive linemen are plentiful, and Big Blue has reportedly been interested in some of the top young prospects preparing to make the jump from college football to the NFL.
Several top recruits, including Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills, and Mekhi Becton, represent the cream of the crop, whom the Giants have done their due diligence with and will ultimately consider with the 4th overall pick. However, there’s one other offensive lineman who won’t be considered along with the top tackles available.
Center Cesar Ruiz is a player that should be on the Giants’ wish-list, but in the second round. The talented center would fill a significant void for Big Blue, who let Jon Halapio go in free agency this offseason and currently only boasts Spencer Pulley at the spot.
Cesar Ruiz, one of the top interior offensive lineman in this draft class, is receiving a ton of interest. He’s already met with 20 teams that include the #Dolphins and #Bears. He also has FaceTime meetings with the #Giants and #Jets in the coming days, per source.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) April 4, 2020
At 6-foot-3, 307-pounds, Ruiz has a great foundation and center of gravity, two necessities for centers at the professional level. PFF regards Ruiz as the best pass-blocking center in college football, allowing just eight pressure over 447 snaps on passing downs. He’s equally as talented in the running game, moving defensive lineman and climbing to the second level with ease.
What else should the New York Giants like about Ruiz?
As arguably the most athletic center in the draft, his combination of technique and raw skills brings his overall potential sky-high. He can fit a variety of blocking schemes and is likely the most NFL-ready player at the position. The exciting part is that he also has plenty to develop, which only attests to the hype quickly building around his draft stock. He also has the potential to move to the guard position later on in his career, which improves his value even more, given the Giants eventually move on from Kevin Zeitler and look to allocate less money toward filling the center spot. This isn’t an ideal scenario, but you have to look at a player and wonder — where can they play if need be?
That’s the mentality new head coach Joe Judge, and GM Dave Gettleman have agreed upon, which I believe will help the team in the long run tremendously.