All 2020 Saints draft picks should stick and contribute

The Saints hope they have a fantastic foursome of rookies from their 2020 draft class. So far, the reviews are good.

Cesar Ruiz (6-4, 320) Michigan

This year’s first round selection at No. 24 overall is a versatile offensive lineman who can project to center and guard. It now looks like he will line up at right guard in the Saints’ first game against the Bucs.

If there had been pre-season games and a normal offseason, Ruiz could have ended up at center but with the limited workouts I think they will leave Eric McCoy at center because he has a year experience playing that position.

Ruiz is also adept playing in space, meaning he can get to the next level and swing out fast for screen passes the saints love to use. He is an athletic big man who at some point, probably next season, may see time at center.

Zach Baun (6-2, 238) Wisconsin

Selected in round three at No. 74, Baun is already lining up with the first team at inside linebacker at times in camp, if that means anything. He will get playing time there and also as a pass rusher on the outside which he did so well in college. As a senior he recorded 12.5 sacks with 19 tackles for loss. Versatility is his best asset. I had Baun rated as a late first round talent.

Adam Trautman (6-5 265)

The tight end from Dayton selected late in round three at No. 105 has shown flashes, catching the ball well in training camp as expected. The team is also pleased with his work as a blocker so far which was a bit of a question mark considering his usage and level of competition in college.

Trautman caught 70 passes and 14 touchdowns as a senior. His outstanding size will make him a big target in the red zone, much needed by the Saints to have other targets around the goalline to complement Michael Thomas.

Tommy Stevens (6-5, 245)

At Penn State and then at Mississippi State, Stevens played quarterback but the seventh rounder is an all-purpose player who has been lining up at tight end a lot in training camp. He is compared to the ultra-versatile Taysom Hill as he can project to many positions likerunning back, wide receiver but should make his mark as a gunner on special teams at first just like Hill did.

Overall, it looks like the team will be stronger at several positions. We’ve profiled the promising options at wide receiver. With the addition of Emmanuel Sanders and with the use of return man Deonte Harris more at that position with his speed, the Saints can give defenses more big play concerns.

Linebacker was a question mark but mostly due to injury problems in past season. if Alex Anzalone can stay healthy, he will really help in pass coverage. The team also brought in former Eagles starter Nigel Bradham, who should get a lot of playing time. I look for Baun to be worked into the mix as well.

The cornerback position is improved with Janoris Jenkins taking over for Eli Apple. They do need safety Marcus Williams to have a big season, but with veteran Malcolm Jenkins and a more experienced Ceedy Duce (C.J. Gardner-Johnson), the secondary seems solid. Enigmatic P. J. Williams has been the star of training camp so far; of course, it is early.

The defensive line looks to be one of the deepest in the NFL.