{"id":86994,"date":"2020-04-27T22:09:49","date_gmt":"2020-04-28T02:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=86994"},"modified":"2021-06-01T05:29:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T09:29:34","slug":"new-orleans-saints-2020-nfl-draft-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/04\/27\/new-orleans-saints-2020-nfl-draft-review\/","title":{"rendered":"New Orleans Saints 2020 NFL Draft Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coming into the 2020 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints<\/a> began with five draft picks (24, 88, 130, 169, and 203). As Saints fans are well aware of, the Saints are aggressive on Day 2 and 3 of the draft. Alvin Kamara<\/a><\/strong> was acquired in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft after the Saints exchanged picks with the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>. Erik McCoy<\/a><\/strong> and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson<\/a><\/strong> were both products of trade-ups and both immediate contributors.<\/p>\n

And once again, the Saints traded up. They selected Zack Baun<\/a><\/strong>, and Adam Trautman<\/a><\/strong> in the third round, both of which were top 100 players on most people’s draft boards. The Saints also added much-needed assurance by adding interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz<\/a><\/strong> in the first round, who can play both guard spots and center. In the process, the Saints added former Penn State and Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens<\/strong><\/a>, which was a head-scratcher. Here\u2019s a full list of the Saints selections:<\/p>\n

First round, 24th overall: Cesar Ruiz,<\/b> center, Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Third round, 74th overall: Zack Baun, Edge\/LB, Wisconsin\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Third round, 105th overall: Adam Trautman, Tight end, Dayton<\/b><\/p>\n

Seventh round, 231st overall: Tommy Stevens, Quarterback, Mississippi State<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saints Draft Grade: A-<\/p>\n

New Orleans Saints 2020 NFL Draft Review<\/h2>\n

The Best Player: Cesar Ruiz<\/h3>\n

No, he is not Patrick Queen<\/strong><\/a> or Kenneth Murray<\/strong><\/a>. But Ruiz fills a need the Saints have ignored the last few seasons. Cesar Ruiz, who is naturally a center, is versatile in more ways than one. Ruiz can play either guard position and gives the Saints options, with Larry Warford<\/a><\/strong> and Andrus Peat<\/a><\/strong> currently filling those positions. Warford is in the last year of his deal and the Saints could very much let him walk after next season. Ruiz brings the ability to get out on the edge and lead the way for a running back, is a great pass protector who only allowed 25 total pressures and 3 sacks over 995 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.<\/a><\/p>\n

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C\/G Cesar Ruiz was one of, if not the premier pass protecting interior OL in this year's draft.<\/p>\n

He earned a career 84.7 pass blocking grade in the last 3 seasons at Michigan.<\/p>\n

Ruiz allowed 25 total pressures (3 sacks) over 995 pass blocking snaps.#WhoDat<\/a> #Saints<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Tk0bzwA94t<\/a><\/p>\n

— PFF NO Saints (@PFF_Saints) April 24, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n