Mel Kiper projects Cesar Ruiz to KC Chiefs in 2020 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs have been linked to Michigan interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by Mel Kiper, Jr.

ESPN’s primary NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. has the Kansas City Chiefs making a significant investment to bolster the interior of their offensive line with a projected selection in the first round of Michigan center Cesar Ruiz at No. 32 overall.

In his latest mock draft, Kiper has the Chiefs taking the first interior lineman in the entire draft and the sixth offensive lineman overall. Previously in the first round, Kiper had five offensive tackles taken, beginning with Tristan Wirfs to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 8 overall.

Ruiz is often considered the draft’s prized prospect on the inside, not unlike Ryan Kelly of the Indianapolis Colts who came out as a first-round prize from the University of Alabama. Kiper writes, “Ruiz is the only interior offensive lineman who I have graded as a first-round pick — this isn’t the class to reach for a guard or center. He’d fill a need in Kansas City.”

The perceived need is a general need for a higher ceiling along the entire interior of the Chiefs offensive front. The Chiefs watched former center Mitch Morse earn big money from the Buffalo Bills in free agency a year ago and went forward with backup Austin Reiter in the starter’s role. Ruiz has starting experience there and would certainly elevate the position—like any first round prospect would.

At the same time, the Chiefs are clearly interested in upgrading at guard. There are a number of options on the roster, especially if Martinas Rankin can return from a season-ending injury. Andrew Wylie is also in place on the left side and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has held down the starting right guard job for years. That said, all three have dealt with injuries and LDT in particular is quite expensive. Depending on how the Chiefs feel about each candidate post-injury, they could make a move.

The Chiefs already tried to bring back Stefen Wisniewski and/or made a play for free agent Andrus Peat only to lose out on both. Ruiz could also slide into a guard role inside and deliver there as well.

Ruiz has 31 career starts to his name at Michigan, including 26 of them at center. He was second team All-Big Ten in 2019.