6 guards the Vikings could select in the 2020 NFL Draft
By Chris Schad
Cesar Ruiz (Michigan)
Measurables:
- Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 307 pounds
From an athletic profile, Cesar Ruiz might be the best fit for the Vikings to plug and play in the interior of their offensive line. With a 4.64-second shuttle drill time, he ranked in the 95th percentile of interior offensive linemen in this year’s class and his 9-foot-3 broad jump shows that he can offer plenty of explosiveness in a small space.
One of the more encouraging things about Ruiz’s game is his ability to develop. Placed into the Michigan offensive line late in his freshman season, Ruiz originally struggled in pass protection, but he capped off his collegiate career without allowing a sack in his senior season.
The former Wolverine is also versatile, starting his career at right guard, but settling in to make 26 of his 31 career starts in the middle of the line at center. While some of his timing and communication has been off, Ruiz wins far more than he loses, making him a safe bet to produce in the NFL.
Ruiz is one of the younger players in this class and won’t turn 21 until June 14. With a knack for getting better and an elite athletic profile, the Vikings may be inclined to take Ruiz with one of their two first-round picks or attempt a trade up to land him in the second round.