NFL Draft 2020: Best pick from each team in the NFC South

Analyzing the best pick from each team in the NFC South from the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft was an excellent event, and every team has fresh confidence as we draw closer to the NFL season. The NFC South is an extremely competitive division, and it got even crazier when Tom Brady decided to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Entering the draft, the Bucs, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons were set to add to the roster for deep playoff runs, with the Falcons sitting in hot water. The Panthers are in the midst of a rebuild, and this draft was an important one for first-year head coach Matt Rhule.

Here, we will take a look at the draft classes from the NFC South and identify the best pick made by each team. Let’s dive on in.

New Orleans Saints: Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan

Round 1, 24th Overall

The Saints ended up with just four selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, three of which required a trade up. They added pieces in key spots while also getting great value doing it, and it all started in the first round.

Most mock drafts had the Saints selecting a linebacker, corner, or wide receiver in round one, but they ended up selecting Michigan center Cesar Ruiz. It may sound odd that New Orleans decided to roll with an offensive lineman a year after selecting Erik McCoy, but in the NFL Draft, adding to a strength is a good strategy.

Ruiz is an elite center prospect and was the top overall interior lineman in the draft. He showed great balance and hand usage against rushers while at Michigan, and consistently looks for work. His mobility is very good as well, as he gets to defenders in space and shows enough quickness off the snap to gain position and create running lanes.

Ruiz can play guard for the Saints this coming season alongside McCoy, especially with New Orleans cutting Larry Warford. One of the best offensive lines in the league got better after the 2020 NFL Draft. That should scare the league.