The Saints’ 1st round pick isn’t a show stealer, but it makes sense. Here’s why.
On May 9, the NFL plans to release its 2020 schedule, all 256 regular season games and four preseason games per team.
If the league has its way, training camps will open in late July and the season will kick off the night of Sept. 10, three days after Labor Day.
That much we know.
Beyond May 9, the NFL is flying blind through the wild, blue yonder, its vision impaired by the deadly pandemic COVID-19 which has drastically altered the way we go about our lives.
Meantime, the NFL continues to adapt and change with the times as evidenced by this week’s fully virtual, technologically enhanced three-day college draft that featured Commissioner Roger Goodell introducing selections from the bowels of his home in Bronxville, New York.
With the 24th overall pick, the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night selected Michigan center/guard Cesar Ruiz (6-3, 307), a relatively safe pick who apparently fits a need in the interior of the offensive line.
On Friday night, the Saints twice worked trades in the third round, producing Wisconsin outside linebacker Zack Baun with the 74th overall pick and Dayton tight end Adam Trautman at 105.
In order to trade back into the third round to get Trautman, the Saints sent Minnesota their fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh rounds to presumably put an end to their 2020 draft.
The Saints traded back into the seventh round late Saturday afternoon, sending a sixth-round pick in 2021 to the Houston Texans and taking Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens at 240.
Ruiz’s selection barely registers on my WOW! gauge and certainly won’t put fannies in the seats. Then again, the seats inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome could be empty anyway.
I’m not going to quibble with the Ruiz pick. I would have preferred LSU linebacker Patrick Queen or Utah State quarterback Jordan Love at No. 24. But overall, Ruiz looks like a good decision.
Saints coach Sean Payton made an excellent decision Wednesday via video conference when he canceled the team’s spring offseason program, virtual or otherwise. Players were instructed “to take care of your families, your health ... (and) to show up in July for training camp in the best shape of your life.’‘
Normally, Payton would dismiss his team at the conclusion of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in mid-June or the culmination of their two-month off-season program.
Remember, Payton himself tested positive for coronavirus at the start of free agency in March that resulted in him sheltering-in-place at home as a safeguard. Payton said he came forward with the diagnosis because he wanted people to heed the safety warnings of government officials and behave responsibly.
Granted, Payton has the luxury of coaching a largely veteran roster with established leaders, a stable coaching staff and few starting positions to fill. Still, he risks being second-guessed if the Saints fail to meet his team’s lofty expectations.
One of those starting jobs involves Ruiz, who started 31 games at Michigan, the first five at right guard as a sophomore and the last 26 at center. Last season, he didn’t allow a sack in 449 pass-block reps.
Ruiz will be at a distinct disadvantage without the benefit of the team’s offseason program. But the Saints have a plan for him, nevertheless.
I suspect Ruiz will compete with veteran Larry Warford at right guard this season. Warford has one year remaining on his contract and is scheduled to count $12.875 million against the salary cap.
“We weren’t drafting (Ruiz) that high to be a backup,’‘ Payton acknowledged.
Beyond this season, Ruiz could be an option at center which would allow standout center Erik McCoy to shift to right guard.
At the moment, Ruiz’s role with the Black and Gold is still to be determined.
Much like the 2020 NFL season.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 6:27 PM.