2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan Wolverines
Career Snapshot
Two-year starter at center who earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2019. Named Third Team All-Big Ten as a sophomore. Made five starts at right guard as a true freshman in 2017.
Positives
Two-year starter who has been a dominant center for Michigan and has shown consistent improvement. Nasty, smart and instinctive. Stays square, keeps his feet moving and works well with linemates. Patient, keeps his head on a swivel and always looks to hit somebody. Explosive at the point, quickly sets up off the snap and blocks with a wide base.
Turns defenders from the action, opens running lanes and finishes blocks. Fires out to the second level, squares into linebackers and takes them from the action. Can pull across the line of scrimmage, get out to the second level and annihilate opponents. Fundamentally sound. Terrific with the shotgun snap.
Negatives
Lacks classic size. Shows stiffness on occasion.
Analysis
In my opinion, Ruiz is one of the more underrated offensive linemen in this draft. In time, I feel that he will become a tremendous starting center in the NFL. He’s likely to fall out of the initial 32 picks and will be great value if he’s still on the board once the second round begins.
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