Roundup: What they are saying about Saints selection of Cesar Ruiz
As we have detailed, the selection of Michigan interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz of Michigan in the first round created quite a buzz.
Many services had Ruiz with an early second round grade but others had him higher.
Either way, Ruiz was rising in the eyes of most observers and clearly in the eyes of the Saints.
The most glowing review was from Pete Prisco of CBS Sports, who loved the pick with an “A” grade and said Ruiz “would go to the Pro Bowl seven or eight years as a center.”
NFL.com said the pick seemed “like a solid pick,” giving the choice an “A-.”
The Sporting News called the move “shrewd” and called Ruiz the best interior lineman prospect in the draft.
USA Today gave the pick a “B” grade, looking at the pick “more favorably many Saints fans.”
On the downside was SBNation.com, which stated it was a “fail” pick on a pass or fail grading system, calling it a “luxury pick.”
In the middle was NBCSports.com, giving the Saints a “B-” grade, stating that there were better players available but that it is hard to argue with adding blocking to protect Drew Brees.
Yahoo Sports said the pick “was a bit of a surprise, but a potentially great pick.”
SI.com gave the pick a “C+” grade, questioning where Ruiz will play.
Here are the links to a large sampling of analysis from around the country:
- < PREV Saints stay put, make solid, sensible pick in the first round
- NEXT > Audio: Sean Payton, Cesar Ruiz post-NFL Draft first round
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Born and raised in the New Orleans area, CCSE CEO Ken Trahan has been a sports media fixture in the community for nearly four decades. Ken started NewOrleans.com/Sports with Bill Hammack and Don Jones in 2008. In 2011, the site became SportsNOLA.com. On August 1, 2017, Ken helped launch CrescentCitySports.com. Having accumulated national awards/recognition (National Sports Media Association, National Football…