2020 NFL Draft: Putting a letter grade on all 32 first-round picks
13. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Oklahoma. Kenneth Murray. 23. LB. player
Surprise, surprise, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots traded out of the first round. The Los Angeles Chargers sent the Pats their second and third-round picks to come up and add Kenneth Murray to their defensive mix. Murray is undoubtedly a talented linebacker prospect who should be able to come in and make an immediate impact in Los Angeles.
Murray is an extremely athletic linebacker prospect who shows impressive sideline-to-sideline speed. He is an impressive downhill thumper who sheds blocks well and will make an impact against the run. Murray is also a fantastic asset in the blitz game. While he has all of the tools to be an impact player in coverage, his coverage instincts just aren’t there yet. I like Murray as a player, but if his coverage struggles continue, he won’t be worth this investment.
2020 NFL Draft Grade: B-
player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. IOL. Michigan. Cesar Ruiz. 24. 15
The New Orleans Saints could have made a play for the future with a quarterback selection here. There was also a particular LSU linebacker who would have made sense. However, it never hurts to get Drew Brees some more help. Cesar Ruiz is the best interior offensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft class and should be able to be an immediate contributor for this team.
Ruiz shows an impressive combination of power and quickness on the inside. He is a premier pass protector who can also get out and make blocks at the second level. Ruiz primarily played center in college but should be able to come in and immediately fill the Saints’ hole at right guard. He is a nice value pick here and fills a need for this team as they go all in for what could be Brees’ last season.