The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Michigan interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz:
What he can do
– Good mix of size and athleticism at the position. 6-3, 307. Was quick in the 40-yard dash and short shuttle, with good jumps at his size. Quickness is a strength
– Versatile, with a bunch of starts at center and guard. Should be able to play all three interior line spots
– Overall, wins a ridiculously high percentage of snaps
– Effective pass protector. Can handle all body types. Good feet and anchor. Really could be an effective pass blocker at center and both guard spots
– Allowed only three sacks despite playing over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps the last three years, per Pro Football Focus. Didn’t give up a single sack in 2019
– Good-looking snaps as a combo blocker. Times the release into the second level well, effective walling off linebackers to create alleyways into the secondary
– Not a dominant, road-grading run blocker. Better when on the move, reaching defenders, moving to the second level and getting out in space in front of plays. Could be a nice fit in the zone run scheme
– Reason to believe he’ll improve as a run blocker as he grows into his body and gets stronger overall
– Will explode off the ball and deliver the first blow on interior defenders
– Big, strong hands that can manipulate big people in the middle of the line
– Too many penalties. Committed six in 2019, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic
– Handled business against Alabama, a good measuring stick for any offensive lineman
– High motor and keeps the intensity high
– Young. Doesn’t turn 21 until June
How he fits
Possibly two ways. Starting center Corey Linsley is a free agent following the 2020 season, and the Packers might have a long-term need at right guard. Ruiz looks like a future starting center who could play guard without issue. The Packers re-signed Lucas Patrick, providing some veteran depth in case Linsley departs, and former starter Lane Taylor remains on the roster, but teams can never have enough quality big guys up front. If drafted, Ruiz could replace Linsley in 2021 or even challenge right guard Billy Turner for a starting spot in 2020. Letting Linsley go might be a resulting cost of re-signing big-time players like David Bakhtiari, Aaron Jones and Kenny Clark over the next year. The question is whether the Packers would want to invest another high pick on the interior offensive line.
NFL comp
PFF likes Maurkice Pouncey as a comparison. There are some size comparisons to former NFL starting center Nick Hardwick. His athletic profile is relatively unique at center.
Where Packers could get him
Most draft analysts view Ruiz as a top-50 player in the class and a likely pick in the first two rounds. It’s really difficult to envision the Packers using the 30th pick on a center or guard, but Ruiz could start making some sense in the second round.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson