Tag: Cesar Ruiz

2020 NFL draft: Cesar Ruiz scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Michigan offensive line prospect Cesar Ruiz

Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan

Elevator Pitch

Ruiz is an athletic and technically-sound interior blocker who brings plenty of intriguing traits to the table. He plays with active and polished hands, and his ability to accelerate to the second level and move around in space will help him out at the next level. With a little bit of bulking up, he should be a reliable starter at center or guard for years to come.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 307

College Bio Page

Strengths

An impactful anchor for Michigan’s offensive line, Ruiz brings a skillset that should allow him to start from Day 1 for an NFL team.

He is a technically-sound blocker who has a polished knowledge of how to use his hands. He times his jabs well and gets consistent placement inside the shoulders of his opponents. When a defender executes a pass-rushing move, Ruiz is able to re-set his hands and continue to fight until he completely shuts the defender out of the play. He has good grip strength and excels at keeping his opponents locked up. His pad level has shown some flashes, too, and the flexibility in his lower body is apparent.

Ruiz’s athleticism also projects him as a potential long-term starter in the pros. He accelerates well to the second level and has good overall speed for the interior. His coordination is apparent on tape, as he moves well in space and plays with very good body control on the move. That athleticism makes him a valuable blocker on pull blocks and in down-blocking situations. He is also an intelligent blocker who can pick up combo and double-team blocks, as well as execute and read the situation in a zone scheme.

Weaknesses

While Ruiz is a well-rounded player, there are a few areas in which he can improve, and his play strength is one of them. His initial jab at the point of attack is solid, but he doesn’t have raw power in his lower body. His recovery strength isn’t all that impressive, as he can be susceptible to losing the rep when a defender executes a speed-to-power move like a bull rush effectively on him.

Ruiz is a bit smaller for an offensive lineman, and he doesn’t have top-notch length or bulk. He could stand to add a little bit of weight, but his length could prevent his range in pass protection a little bit. His pad level could also be a little bit more consistent, as there are some instances in which he gets a bit too high when engaging with a defender.

Projection: 2nd Round

[vertical-gallery id=614699]

3 early-round draft picks for Ravens to replace Marshal Yanda

The Baltimore Ravens have options to replace retiring guard Marshal Yanda, including a few early-round prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.

An era of excellence is coming to an end for the Baltimore Ravens, with the news that guard Marshal Yanda is set to retire from the NFL. Yanda has been a bedrock of the Ravens offensive line since they took him in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft, starting 166 of the 177 games he has played. Since 2007, the Ravens have amassed the fourth-most rushing yards in the entire NFL with an appreciable chunk of their 25,883 yards coming thanks to Yanda doing work on the offensive line.

Yanda’s retirement, while maybe not totally unexpected, could force a re-think in the Ravens’ strategy with regards to team building this offseason. They could look to free agency to plug the gap left by Yanda, assuming they don’t want to hand the job to a player already on the roster. Or they could look to the NFL Draft. This is not considered a great year for interior offensive linemen, but there are few options should the Ravens want to spend a very early pick on one. Here are three names the Ravens may consider taking with their first selection.

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Cesar Ruiz – Michigan

Ruiz spent most of his time with the Wolverines at Center, earning the title of “Best Pass Blocking Center” in the country by PFF College in 2018. But he did play five games at guard during his time in the collegiate ranks and could slide over there once in the NFL. Ruiz has a track record of playing on productive offenses, both through the air and on the ground. According to his bio on the Wolverine website, as a senior at IMG Academy, Ruiz “anchored an offensive line that helped the offense produce 2,000 yards through the air and 1,879 yards on the ground in 11 games.”

Ruiz is widely accepted as one of the best interior offensive linemen heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. If the Ravens are looking to replace Yanda with a rookie, Ruiz could be their guy as early as the first round.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Three Wolverines go in latest CBS three-round NFL mock draft

Though a few Wolverines had top combine performances, it’s the ones who have long been seen as top picks that go in CBS’ latest mock draft.

[jwplayer FtOzzRsq-XNcErKyb]

Some Michigan players helped themselves greatly in the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month. But for the top-end of those professional hopefuls, it didn’t really matter.

Donovan Peoples-Jones and Khaleke Hudson put on a show in Indianapolis, but with many former Wolverines opting to wait until their March 13 pro day, not everyone participated beyond the bench press.

As CBS put together its latest three-round NFL mock draft, two of the three it has in its top three rounds were very limited in Indy, while the other confirmed what people already knew: he’s very good.

So in the prediction, while none of the former Michigan players went in the first round, it did see Cesar Ruiz and Josh Uche maintaining second-round status, while Ben Bredeson was selected in the third.

Player Pos. Rd. Pick Team
Cesar Ruiz iOL 2 40 Arizona Cardinals
Josh Uche EDGE 2 47 Atlanta Falcons
Ben Bredeson iOL 3 89 Minnesota Vikings

Should Ruiz get picked by the Cardinals, he’d be reunited with his predecessor at center in Mason Cole, who was taken by the franchise following the 2017 season.

Uche has long been looked at as a player that could go to the Pittsburgh Steelers, reuniting with Devin Bush Jr., but in this scenario, he comes off the board two picks before Pittsburgh can snatch him up.

And Bredeson would fit in nicely as a Viking, perhaps taking up the mantle of another former Michigan player who spent time in Minneapolis, in new NFL Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson.

The NFL Draft is set to take place next month in Las Vegas.

Eagles land Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jason Kelce’s eventual replacement in 3-round mock draft

Eagles land Antoine Winfield Jr. and Cesar Ruiz in 3-round mock draft

[jwplayer iyxvChl0-ThvAeFxT]

The Philadelphia Eagles will have a variety of personnel options at their disposal when the new league year starts next week, but the team is looking for huge upgrades via the NFL draft.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will likely have a huge decision to make with pick No. 21, as he can chase a homerun pick at wide receiver or address a litany of other needs in the first round.

The draft is made up of more than the first-round and this recent three-round mock draft from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, the Eagles land a star safety and Jason Kelce eventual replacement at center.

PICK

21

Tee Higgins – WR
School: Clemson | Year: Junior

Adding another playmaker to the receiver corps is a high priority for the Eagles.

PICK

53

Antoine Winfield Jr. – S
School: Minnesota | Year: Sophomore (RS)

PICK

85

Cesar Ruiz – C
School: Michigan | Year: Junior

PICK

97

Harrison Hand – CB
School: Temple | Year: Junior

Projected compensatory pick.

In Ruiz, the Eagles would be getting a steal that late in the draft.

At Michigan last season, Ruiz earned second-team all-Big-10 honors and started all 13 games for the Wolverines. Ruiz started 31 games at all five positions for the Wolverines and his versatility could only enhance the Eagles depth on the offensive front.

With Malcolm Jenkins wanting a new contract and Rodney McLeod set to enter free agency, Winfield would make up for the loss of missing on a player like Xavier McKinney from Alabama.

Winfield Jr. can do it all and even at 5-foot-9, 203 pounds, he improved his ball skills (seven interceptions as a senior) and could be a player that Jim Schwartz lines up all over the field.

[vertical-gallery id=630954]

Former Wolverine makes NFL All-Combine Offensive Team

The former Wolverines center got a special honor coming out of Indianapolis this week.

[jwplayer f5qXfn1Y-XNcErKyb]

So with the NFL Scouting Combine in the books, multiple Michigan players put on a show.

Donovan Peoples-Jones with his vertical and broad jumps. Khaleke Hudson with his impressive bench press. Despite not working out, Josh Uche continued to get mentions.

But as the NFL released its All-Combine Offensive team, it wasn’t Peoples-Jones who made the list of eleven. It was the player that’s getting mentioned as a late-first-rounder in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Though he’s a center through-and-through, and will certainly be drafted as such, Cesar Ruiz can play multiple roles, as evidenced by his first foray into starting college football at right guard in 2017, when Michael Onwenu missed several games due to injury. Well, the NFL felt intent on getting Ruiz into it’s group, so it put him on the All-Combine Offensive Team, but at left guard.

While it’s somewhat surprising to see that Peoples-Jones — who posted an elite athleticism score according to the NFL’s analytics arm, Next Gen Stats — didn’t get the nod, that Ruiz got such a mention shows that he clearly made the right choice by leaving early.

12 offensive combine standouts for the Bills to consider

12 standout prospects on offense from the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine for the Buffalo Bills to consider drafting.

We started off our combine standouts pegged for the Bills defense, but now let’s get to the fun part… the offense.

Buffalo’s offense could stand to use plenty of help all over the place. Playmakers will be a big-time need for the Bills, but the trenches and in the backfield also can’t be overlooked.

Here are 12 offensive prospects who impressed at the combine that the Bills could consider adding at the upcoming draft:

Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool. Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

WR Chase Claypool | Notre Dame

At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Chase Claypool was already certainly on the Bills’ draft radar even if he didn’t put up the most prolific numbers at Notre Dame. But his size now comes with some documented speed after the combine. That big body moved the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds. Per NFL Research, Claypool and Calvin Johnson are the only wide receivers who stood at least 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds and ran a sub-4.45-second 40-yard time. Good company. He also had a 40.5-inch vertical, fourth-best among wideouts

OL Ezra Cleveland | Boise State

Prior to the combine, Ezra Cleveland was viewed as a developmental tackle prospect but he improved his stock. If it wasn’t for top-10 prospect Tristan Wirfs’ work, Cleveland would’ve taken more headlines after the combine. He had a great three-cone time of 7.26 for a 6-foot-6, 311-pound guy, along with a ridiculous 4.93 40-yard time. He’s an athlete. Cleveland could now be a Day 2 pick and a guy that perhaps could move Cody Ford to the guard position. Many predict he needs to bulk up, though.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Three Wolverines make Bleacher Report post-combine mock draft

Three Wolverines found themselves day two picks in the upcoming NFL Draft according to the latest post-combine mock.

[jwplayer 0dnjtGWX-XNcErKyb]

The NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and some Michigan players greatly helped themselves. Many didn’t fully participate, opting to showcase themselves more at their March 13 pro day in Ann Arbor. Others maintained the status quo.

However, according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, a trio of former Wolverines worked their way up into the second-round of April’s upcoming NFL Draft.

37. CHARGERS—IOL Cesar Ruiz, Michigan

49. STEELERS—EDGE Josh Uche, Michigan

59. SEAHAWKS—WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan

Uche did not participate in any events save for the bench press due to an injured hamstring, though he will be a full go at his pro day, he insisted. Going to the Steelers and teaming up once again with Devin Bush would be a nightmare for opposing offenses.

Ruiz has been climbing up the boards before even the combine, where he didn’t really hurt or help himself much. But, it wasn’t an event where he was going to likely climb up boards too much, as he’s pretty much a known quantity. He’s been projected as high as the middle first-round before the combine, and isn’t likely to fall much further than early-to-mid second round.

Peoples-Jones is a case where he certainly has teams salivating at his athleticism. Next Gen Stats called him elite in that category, and he all but gave himself a shot to go on day two of a very deep wide receiver class.

Others will have a shot to make an impression on March 13, including Ben Bredeson — who some have had going in the second or third round, or Khaleke Hudson, who was one of Sporting News’ winners coming out of the combine.

Broncos met with OL Cesar Ruiz at NFL combine

Michigan guard/center Cesar Ruiz had an interview with the Broncos at the NFL combine last week.

The Denver Broncos interviewed Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz at the NFL combine last week, according to Tom Downey of Chat Sports.

Ruiz (6-3, 307 pounds) bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times at the combine. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared him to James Daniels, who was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2018 draft.

“Ruiz has early starting potential and should develop into a good pro with guard/center flexibility,” Zierlein wrote of the offensive lineman.

That sounds exactly like the kind of versatile interior offensive lineman Denver likes to have. With limited roster spots on game days, the Broncos — and all NFL teams — prefer linemen who can play multiple positions.

Ruiz is the ninth-best interior offensive lineman in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Ruiz is projected to be selected sometime between the third and fifth rounds of the draft, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

The draft will take place in Las Vegas from April 23-25.

[vertical-gallery id=631819]

2020 NFL Combine winners: Offensive linemen

Examining and identifying the top on-field offensive linemen performances from the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine continued their on-field drills on Friday night, this time featuring offensive linemen and running backs. As always, the workouts begin with the 40-yard-dash, and when they shifted into position drills, we got to see a handful of new drills.

The Detroit Lions were surely keeping a close eye on the offensive linemen tonight as they could be in the market for a starter at guard, as well as a future starter at offensive tackle. Let’s take a look at those who earned positive marks today.

Tristan Wirfs, LT/RT, Iowa

6-5, 320, 10-y/s: 1.69, 40-y/d: 4.85, Vertical 36.5″, Broad 10-1

There is plenty of debate over who the top offensive lineman in this class is, but it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Wirfs was on top of the Lions board at the position.

Wirfs’ elite athleticism was on full display tonight, where he looked silky smooth in on-field drills, and set records in the measurable tasks. His 4.85 40-yard dash was the fastest among all offensive linemen this year and sixth fastest since 2003. His 36.5″ vertical jump was the highest at the position since 2003 and his 10-1 broad jump was tied for the furthest by an offensive lineman since 2003.

He dominated.

Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

6-3, 307, 10-y/s: 1.77

Ruiz and LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry are in a fierce battle for the top spot among the interior offensive linemen, and while both showed out tonight, I gave the edge to Ruiz based on his fluidity and movement skills. Ruiz was under control in every single drill and he executed each with precision and power. His ability to play center and guard could put him in play for the Lions at pick No. 35 at the top of the second round.

Austin Jackson, LT, USC

6-5, 322, 10-y/s: 1.73

Jackson is a young (only 20-years-old) and developing prospect, and while he likely won’t be grouped in the same tier as the top four offensive tackles in this class, his upside is obvious and was highlighted at tonight’s Combine. A high-character pure left tackle, Jackson’s ability to take over a starting role a year from now will be very appealing to a team like the Lions.

Ezra Cleveland, LT, Boise State

6-6, 311, 10-y/s: 1.73, Bench 30 reps

Cleveland is a developmental offensive tackle who is probably a year away from earning a starting role in the NFL, making him a player who will draw interest from the Lions. At the Combine, Cleveland showed off his balance, ability to play with his head up, and moved laterally with ease.

Nick Harris, IOL, Washington

6-1, 302, 10-y/s: 1.76

Harris’ athleticism stands out when you watch him play and the Combine was no different. He was smooth, balanced, kept his center of gravity low, and moved laterally with ease. Harris will check a lot of boxes for the Lions — he spent a week with them at the senior bowl and will hit their athletic requirements — but he is likely headed for a Joe Dahl-like role, where it will take him time before he is ready to compete for a starting job.

Notes:

  • Mekhi Becton (6-7.5, 364, Louisville) started the show off with a bang, gliding to a 1.77 10-yard-split, but he pulled up after the first on-field drill or he would’ve been higher up this list
  • Jedrick Willis (6-4, 312, Alabama) put his power on full display in a kick-slide right tackle drill, where Willis punched through the bag, knocking the coaches head violently back

Combine events and prospects to watch for Bills fans

Here are some players to watch for Bills fans during Friday’s Combine festivities. 

A new crop of prospects will be on display at the Scouting Combine Friday. Running backs, offensive linemen, and special teams players will take the field for their on-field events.

While none of these position groups are necessarily a massive need for the Bills, they could use a few players to fill out the depth chart on their roster. Devin Singletary has the inside track as the starting running back this year, and four of the five starting linemen are projected to return this year.

The NFL Combine will take place from 4-11 p.m. EST on the NFL Network. Here are some players to watch for Bills fans during Friday’s Combine festivities:

Running backs

Georgia Bulldogs running back D’Andre Swift. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With the selection of Singletary last year and his tremendous rookie season, it’s difficult to envision the Bills taking a player to compete with the FAU standout for starting reps. However, Buffalo will be interested in finding a player to complement Singletary in the backfield.

Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, Ohio State’s JK Dobbins’, LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Florida State’s Cam Akers are all players who seemingly reside at the top of many big boards of analysts entering the Combine. While Buffalo may not be interested in using their draft capital for one of the players, it will be intriguing to see what the drop off between these players and those who are currently slated as later day two and day three picks.

If the drop off is not that steep, the Bills could find a great player later in the draft, yielding a great value pick for the team.

Anthony McFarland of Maryland, while a smaller back like Singletary, could be an option with his downhill running style. La’Mical Perine of Florida, KeShawn Vaughn of Vanderbilt, AJ Dillon of Boston College, and Joshua Kelley of UCLA are players who could find their way into the discussion for the Bills with solid Combine performances.

Offensive line

Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

At this time, it looks as if the Bills have at least four starters returning from the 2019 unit. Depending on what happens with Quinton Spain during the free agency period, there’s a chance that Buffalo could have all five starters back in the fold.

The Bills could take a swing at a top-rated guard on day two. It’s not a high priority at the time, but if the team finds a player who can further bolster the line and protect quarterback Josh Allen, the team will look to make that move.

Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz is one of the top-rated guards in the country. Draft analyst Chad Reuter from NFL.com has the Bills selecting Ruiz in a recent mock draft.  Llyod Cushenberry III of LSU, Matt Hennessey of Temple and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs are day two targets at this time.

Later in the draft, Buffalo could find value from Matt Peart of Connecticut, Ben Bredenson of Michigan, Shane Lemieux of Oregon, and Nick Harris of Washington.

Overall

Friday’s sessions will reveal some possible depth pieces for the Bills moving forward. It will be vital to hear General Manager Brandon Beane’s thoughts on the prospects from the day’s sessions and interviews to see if there are any standouts at this point in the draft process. It’s still early and front office members will be careful about revealing who might be moving up their boards at this time. Nevertheless, it’s important to become familiar with many prospects, as many names will be discussed over the next few weeks.

[lawrence-related id=56033,56024,56014,55910]