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The 2020 NFL Draft stars on Thursday night, which begs the question: where, if any, Wolverines will hear their name called in round one?
If recent mock drafts are any indication, one of Michigan’s two junior entrants has a likely shot to be a first-round draft pick, as center Cesar Ruiz has snuck into the tail end of most prognostications as of late.
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But as of late, Ruiz has been selected higher and higher. Instead of going at No. 31-32, he’s been projected at 26. But ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. thinks he could go even higher, at No. 23 overall to the New England Patriots.
23. New England Patriots
Cesar Ruiz, C/G, Michigan | Highlights
Bill Belichick loves to trade down, and I could see the Patriots adding picks and then taking a quarterback like Jalen Hurts in the second round. But Ruiz could be a replacement for guard Joe Thuney, who was franchise tagged but could be traded.
However, Pro Football Focus’ own draft guru Mike Renner doesn’t just see one Michigan player go on Thursday — he predicts that two could, with Ruiz being the latter.
While he still predicts a Wolverine will go to the Patriots, Renner thinks it won’t be Ruiz but Michigan LB/DE Josh Uche.
30. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (VIA GREEN BAY PACKERS) — EDGE JOSH UCHE, MICHIGAN
Uche’s versatility will be put to good use in Bill Belichick’s defense. He can rush from anywhere despite his size and he did so at Michigan.
But he still expect Ruiz to sneak in, going to the Kansas City Chiefs with the final pick of the night at No. 32 overall.
32. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — IOL CESAR RUIZ, MICHIGAN
The Chiefs are on the verge of making Patrick Mahomes the highest-paid player in the game, so it might be wise to protect that investment. Ruiz is young and already exceptionally sound in pass protection.
The 2020 NFL Draft is set to begin at 8PM and will be televised on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.