The New York Giants are seeking to upgrade their offensive line at both tackle positions and at center this offseason. With Nate Solder getting up and years and coming off another inconsistent season and Mike Remmers a free agent, offensive tackle is likely high on general manger Dave Gettleman’s shopping list.
They are also seeking a long-term answer at center. They reportedly met with San Diego State’s Keith Ishmael and now it’s being reported they have interest in Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz.
I dont' know if I tweeted this out before but in going back over my notes, C Cesar Ruiz of Michigan had a formal meeting with the Giants.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) February 27, 2020
Ruiz (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) hails from Camden and is a two-time All-Big 10 selection. He has been climbing up mock draft boards and may not get out of the first round. In fact, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Ruiz going to Kansas City at No. 32.
Ruiz started at right guard the final games of his freshman year before moving to center his last two seasons. Kiper, in his latest Big Board projection, has Ruiz going to Kansas City late in the first round. He has the 6-foot-4, 319-pound Ruiz rated higher than Garrett Bradbury, the top-rated center in 2019.
That means the Giants would have to either trade up from the second round or trade back in the first round to get Ruiz. Good luck having the latter happen.
The Giants under head coach Pat Shurmur were high on both centers on their roster — Jon Halapio and Spencer Pulley. Halapio is currently a restricted free agent and Pulley is a candidate to be released as a salary cap casualty.
The Giants’ new coaching staff is obviously making some recommendations to Gettleman and that will refocus the team’s commitment to some of these marginal players the prior regime had been overrating.
[lawrence-related id=641470,641463,641457]