Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have multiple holes that need to be addressed. This week on KFAN.com, there will be a series of draft prospects being highlighted before the draft starts on Thursday night.
After the surprising release of Josh Kline and shaky play from Pat Elflein in 2019, the interior of the Vikings offensive line will have to get addressed at some point of the draft. There is a lot of buzz going around last year's fourth round pick Dru Samia, but he still hasn’t played any meaningful snaps.
Cesar Ruiz is graded by most as the highest rated interior offensive lineman in this draft class. He played primarily center at Michigan but has the ability to bump over to guard as well. He plays a powerful style of football and is athletic enough to get to the second level.
His workout metrics are also impressive and towards the top of the charts percentile wise. According to PlayerProfiler.com, Ruiz ran a 5.08 40-yard dash which ranks in the 81st percentile and ranks in the 93rd percentile in terms of burst.
Selecting an interior offensive lineman in this draft class at either 22 or 25 seems like it would be a bit of a reach. If Ruiz is on the Vikings radar, it might be another move where they decide to trade back and still get their guy. Most draft experts have him going in the late first to early second, so maybe the Vikings could find a trade partner and move back into the second round.
Stay tuned for more draft profiles coming throughout this week on KFAN.com. The profiles will be addressing positions of need for the Vikings, and there will also be reaction pieces available after each day of the draft.