Miami or KC would have taken Ruiz (1 Viewer)

[Mpro2]

What if Baun ends up being good as well?

But, but, Baun didn't go to LSU.....

 

[BreesHOF2024]

In 2015 this board was all in on picking La El Collins in the first round until news broke he was a person of interest in a murder case. Even knowing that people still wanted him in Round 1.

People are less interested in on picking an interior lineman in the draft compared to what uniform they wore in college.

 

[LetsGetWaffles]

I was underwhelmed when the pick was announced, but it makes a ton of sense and the kid is a stud that has very little “bust” potential. I was also underwhelmed with the Ramczyk pick... so that shows I’m mostly an idiot.

I'm there with you

 

[sammymvpknight]

Expected. He was the best center in the draft


I have no idea why people were upset especially after the Ram and McCoy picks

It was because McCoy looked REALLY good at center last year. Drafting a center at first glance didn't make much sense. But clearly, fans didn't consider that McCoy struggled with offensive line alignment last year (something that doesn't translate to PFF) and that McCoy could slide over to RG and be good. If those two factors were better appreciated before the draft, I think that more would be excited about Ruiz.

 

[sfidc3]

Expected. He was the best center in the draft


I have no idea why people were upset especially after the Ram and McCoy picks

Yep....we need a WR....we need "fill in the blank" LSU player....

Loved both picks and love the Ruiz pick. It is amazing to me that there are still folks out there who don't understand our offensive line last year faltered in the big moment....changes needed to be made. I readily admit being surprised by the Peat signing (and the Warford regression)....but I trust the coaching staff to fix these issues and hopefully they have...now to stay healthy.....

Jim Finks would have approved. He preferred linemen on either side of the ball in the early rounds.

He just didn't consistently draft the right ones....Andy Reid is a big proponent of drafting lineman early and often, it has worked out pretty well for him....

 

[Jesse Custer]

How anybody could've watched the Vikings game and not be ecstatic over strengthening the interior OL is beyond me.

 

[jbourque]

How anybody could've watched the Vikings game and not be ecstatic over strengthening the interior OL is beyond me.

This. The Saints seem to go by how the Offensive Line performs. You can never have enough 1st rounders on your offensive line. Build a wall and you can run or pass. The only head scratcher for me was Peat-but he must have been playing injured or not 100%.

 

[hardheadjungle]

We have to hope he is a stud for many years. Drafting a guard in the 1st round is rarely the type of splash fans love. But if they turn into a foundational piece on the line that may also be a Pro Bowl/All-Pro level player...it makes complete sense. Got to trust the scouts that he is special and deserving of the spot.

But if Patrick Queen ends up being as good as I expect. It will sting for some time that we didn't go that direction.
I think we really wanted Murray, until the charger's move back into the first in took him, and we pick up ruiz

 

[bobad]

Always love the priority of lineman over the flashy picks. Glad we got this kid. Middle pressure hurts us the most.

This. I like to draft nothing but linemen and franchise QB's with 1st round pick. Those are the rare ones, the rest can be drafted later.

 

[abnrgr]

I think it's credible that Ireland would have some inside information on Miami's pick(s). If he was the guy then they made the right choice rather than trading back.

 

[neurotik]

Oline picks generally dont overwhelm or underwhelm. They just whelm. But in hindsight they look a lot better than 80 percent of the other picks 100 percent of the time. Well, often anyway.

 

[sfidc3]

This. I like to draft nothing but linemen and franchise QB's with 1st round pick. Those are the rare ones, the rest can be drafted later.

I would add shutdown CB to that list....