Sure, offensive tackles grab the headlines, and prospects that have a chance to be drafted on the edge of the offensive line want to make that stick in the NFL. Because that is going to translate to a bigger contract when it is time for your second deal in the league.
But there are only two tackle spots up front, and three in the interior line. Yes, perhaps guards and centers are devalued a bit come draft time, as well as in free agency, but study Tom Brady sometime and ask yourself this: What bothers him more, pressure off the edge, or pressure in the interior?
Guards and centers matter schematically. So you better have some good ones. Teams looking to address these positions would be wise to keep these eleven players in mind.
1. Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
Height: 6’3″ Weight: 307
40-Yard Dash: 5.08 seconds
Bench Press: 28 reps
Vertical Jump: 33 inches
Broad Jump: 9 feet 6 inches
3-Cone Drill: 7.91 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.64 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Bio: Cesar Ruiz was the top center prospect in the country coming out of IMG Academy, and had no list of suitors. Ruiz joined IMG Academy after starting his high school career in Camden, growing up in a very tough neighborhood. Almost 30 schools gave Ruiz a scholarship offer, including Florida, Auburn and North Carolina, but he chose to play for Michigan.
Ruiz was pressed into action early, starting in Week 10 of his freshman year and finishing the season as the Wolverines’ starting right guard. He was moved to center for the 2018 season and started every game for Michigan that season. He locked down that spot for the Wolverines again last season.
Ruiz’s story is also one of personal tragedy. His father passed away in December of 2007, when Cesar was only eight years old. His father, Cesar Edwin Ruiz, had pulled over to the side of the road to help another driver with a flat tire. A driver then collided with both the elder Ruiz and the stranded motorist, killing Ruiz’s father. It was two years later that Ruiz turned to the sport of football, putting him on a path towards the NFL. As he told the media during the Scouting Combine, everything he does, he does with his father on his mind.
Stat to Know: Ruiz allowed just three sacks on 2,116 snaps while at Michigan.
Strengths: Ruiz is a versatile offensive lineman, given his experience at both guard and center. On film he displays good lateral quickness with fast hands, and he is usually the first to initiate contact in pass protection and starts with the advantage as a result. His athleticism is something to behold, as his impressive 20-yard shuttle (95th percentile) illustrates. He is quick when asked to long pull to the outside, and shows the athleticism, footwork and vision to consistently climb to the second level and take on linebackers.
In pass protection, Ruiz is extremely aware, constantly scanning for loopers or twisters and if uncovered, he is always looking for work. He displays good awareness and recognition of blitzers, whether early or late in the snap, and he is adept at handling/passing off interior stunts and twists. He also maintains control of the situation when a defensive lineman attempts a secondary pass rushing move, and is able to counter those attempts with ease. He also fights hard to maintain his anchor, or reanchor his base, against slanting bull rushers who have a leverage advantage pre-snap.
Ruiz is also a finisher. He will block his assignment until the whistle – or a little longer if he wants to – and loves to get his guy to the turf. Ruiz does a solid job of continuing to chug his feet post-contact, leading to his reputation as a finisher. He also has what you can describe as textbook “secondary” technique. For example on some zone running schemes he uses a rip technique of his own to counter the initial contact from the defender and get himself to the outside.
Weaknesses: Ruiz tends to drop his eyes before contact, which leads to some whiffs either at the point of contact or in space when he is pulling or working to the outside on a zone running design. There are questions about his athleticism, and therefore his ability to fit in a zone-heavy scheme, but on film he displayed to me the athleticism and technique to operate in such an offense.
Conclusion: Ruiz has the experience, athleticism, strength and mental approach to be a stout interior offensive lineman in any NFL system. He uses his hands and feet well, he wants to finish plays on every snap, he is always looking for work and fights to the whistle every chance he gets. Set to turn 21 this summer, the sky could be the limit for this Michigan offensive lineman.
Comparison: Pro Football Focus compared him to Maurkice Pouncey, and that seems apt given what Ruiz offers as a prospect. There are some flaws but he is a very complete player.