Michigan C Cesar Ruiz could hear name called in first round, analyst says
A national NFL draft analyst’s latest mock draft includes most of the usual suspects going in the first round, including five quarterbacks and one surprise interior lineman.
The QBs pegged for the first round of Pro Football Network NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline shouldn’t come as a huge surprise: LSU’s Joe Burrow, Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Utah State’s Jordan Love, Washington’s Jacob Eason and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. Pauline has New England taking Tagovailoa with pick No. 32.
The surprise name in Pauline’s mock draft? Michigan junior center Cesar Ruiz (6-foot-4, 319 pounds).
“There are some scouts who have Ruiz graded higher than Wisconsin’s Tyler Biadasz. I named Ruiz a Week 9 Riser after his dominant performance against Notre Dame,” Pauline says in his latest mock draft. “His blocking was near flawless and he helped pave the way for 303 rushing yards by the Wolverines during their 45-14 victory over the Irish.
Pauline also called Ruiz, “athletic, strong and tough as nails.”
Ruiz is the No. 103 prospect in the latest Fanspeak rankings.