New Orleans Saints

C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan

    

STRENGTHS

—Two-year starter at center who has experience at guard and brings both positional and schematic versatility.

—Excellent quickness from snap to block; quick to make contact with defenders.

—Great balance when locked up with a defender; rarely ends up on the ground and has good leg drive.

—Good enough lower-body flexibility and power to drive defenders in the run game, but it mostly shows up with his quickness when asked to get to the second level.

—Young prospect (turns 21 in June) who has tons of room for development in his technique and plenty of room on his frame for growth.

—Excellent latch-and-drive ability with defensive linemen and linebackers.

—Uses hands well in passing game to keep defenders from penetrating.

   

WEAKNESSES

—Somewhat undersized at 6'3", 307 lbs; could stand to add power.

—Michigan blocking scheme wasn't very developed; could require him to acclimate to a pro-level scheme.

—Struggled to reach fast linebackers or quick defensive linemen.

—Has a high ceiling but his floor isn't very high; could be a backup while he learns and develops.

    

OVERALL

Ruiz is the best interior offensive lineman in the class, and we love his positional versatility and consistency as a blocker. However, he must get stronger to handle nose tackles and head-up defenders in the NFL. Ruiz's athleticism could be better, but his instincts, hands and reach blocks are high-caliber.

   

GRADE: 89

PRO COMPARISON: Maurkice Pouncey/Mitch Morse

The attorney for Cardell Hayes, who was convicted of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter in 2017 for the death of former NFL defensive end Will Smith, has requested a new trial for his client. 

Per the Associated Press, attorney Eric Santana filed the request in light of a recent decision by the United States Supreme Court that declared split verdicts unconstitutional in state criminal cases. 

In the Supreme Court ruling, Louisiana and Oregon were the only two states in the continental United States that allowed convictions without a unanimous jury vote.

Per John Simerman of The Times-Picayune, the Louisiana Supreme Court denied Hayes' appeal of his sentence last month.

Ken Daley, a spokesman for Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, told Simerman that "Hayes' direct appeals clearly were exhausted…and his conviction should remain undisturbed" by the Supreme Court decision. 

In April 2016, a Hummer hit Smith's vehicle from behind, causing it to ram cars in front of him. Smith and Hayes were having a verbal exchange when Hayes pulled out a gun and fired. 

Smith was killed, and his wife, Racquel, was taken to the hospital after being wounded. 

In December 2016, an Orleans Parish jury found Hayes guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter by a 10-2 vote on both counts. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for manslaughter and 15 for attempted manslaughter, with the sentences being served concurrently. 

Smith played nine seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints from 2004 to 2012. He was part of the team's Super Bowl victory in 2009. 

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis made it clear entering the 2020 NFL draft on Thursday that selecting a quarterback to grow behind Drew Brees is a possibility. 

Speaking to John DeShazier of the Saints' official website, Loomis discussed his philosophy on taking a signal-caller:

"I think that any time you have a chance to get a quality quarterback prospect, regardless of your quarterback situation, you'd like to take advantage of that. For us, it hasn't come. There hasn't been the match where we're picking with a prospect that we really like. Our approach is exactly the same this year: If there's someone there that we really like and have a vision for at the time we're picking, then we're not afraid to pull that trigger."

Brees signed a two-year deal to return to the Saints this offseason, but he is in the twilight of his career at 41 years of age. Because of that, finding an heir apparent in the 2020 draft should be a top priority for New Orleans.

New Orleans owns the No. 24 overall pick in the first round of the draft, and there could still be some talented quarterback prospects on the board at that point, although trading up may also be a possibility.

With LSU quarterback Joe Burrow expected to go No. 1 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, and both Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa and Oregon's Justin Herbert expected to be gone by the time the Saints pick in the first round, New Orleans must decide whether any quarterback remaining is worth taking.

If one of Tua or Herbert fall past the Miami Dolphins at No. 5 and Los Angeles Chargers at No. 6, then the Saints could explore a trade up into the middle part of the first round as well, although they don't have much ammunition with no second-round pick.

The Saints also have to contend with the New England Patriots picking 23rd overall since they have a clear need at quarterback as well.

If the Saints stand pat, Utah State's Jordan Love is likely the top quarterback who could be available to them at No. 24. Love is a big and physically gifted quarterback, but he is coming off a junior season that saw him throw 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions after tossing 32 touchdowns and only six picks the previous season.

Provided Love is available, Loomis must weigh up whether the signal-caller has the potential to be a better NFL quarterback than Taysom Hill, who is currently the backup to Brees after Teddy Bridgewater left for the Carolina Panthers in free agency.

If New Orleans isn't a big fan of Love, then trading down and acquiring more picks could be an attractive option. In that scenario, the Saints could then look at Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts, Washington's Jacob Eason or Georgia's Jake Fromm in the second round.

Of those quarterbacks, Hurts is something of a wild card, Eason has perhaps the highest ceiling and lowest floor, and Fromm has the highest floor and lowest ceiling.

Hurts is the most intriguing option among them due to the success he enjoyed in college, including winning a national championship at Alabama and leading Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff last season. He also finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Hurts is a dual-threat quarterback who has split NFL talent evaluators on how good of a quarterback he can be in the NFL, but he has the potential to be a Hill-type player at the very least.

If the Saints nab Hurts and let him battle it out with Hill to determine who the future of the quarterback position is for them, it would make for a highly captivating storyline within a team that has Super Bowl aspirations this season.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reportedly told players Wednesday the team won't hold an offseason program amid the coronavirus pandemic.

ESPN's Dianna Russini reported Payton said the decision will stand for both the NFL's virtual OTAs and any changes in the schedule.

He doesn't expect team-wide gatherings of any kind until the summer at the earliest:

Saints players were told "no virtual workouts, no online meetings, no workouts at the facility, even if its allowed Show up in July for training camp in the best shape of your life” They were told, “take care of your families, your health, and be ready this summer” #Saints

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 22, 2020

Payton tested positive for COVID-19 in March and has since recovered from the disease.

The 56-year-old California native said during a March 25 appearance on WWL Radio (via ESPN's Mike Triplett):

"I'm doing well. I was cleared yesterday. It's been quite a process. You spend a lot of time trying to learn as much as you can about it. We're certainly seeing it on the news 24/7.

"So I've been fortunate. You stay inside like everyone's doing, and you find ways to pass the time. We had a competition committee meeting the other day on teleconference. But I'm feeling a lot better. And unfortunately, my appetite didn't dissipate at all during that time. You know, you watch a lot of Netflix, then you go on to Twitter, and you see everyone else is watching the same shows."

The NFL announced last week it reached an agreement with the Players Association on a virtual offseason program that could include "classroom instruction, workouts and non-football education programs" as team facilities remain closed because of the pandemic.

Although all in-person activities, including prospect meetings ahead of the 2020 NFL draft, have been canceled, the league has moved forward with the offseason to keep hope of starting the season on time in September alive if possible.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday on ESPN's Get Up that public safety remains a "priority," but he added "we will be ready to play" if the situation allows:

Week 1 of the NFL season is scheduled for Sept. 10-14. Training camps typically open in mid-July.

Taysom Hill is reportedly in no hurry to sign his one-year tender offer sheet with the New Orleans Saints.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Hill is yet to sign the one-year, $4.7 million offer even though the deadline passed for another team to sign the restricted free agent. Florio cited a league source who said the backup quarterback "doesn't plan to sign the one-year contract any time soon."

Despite not inking the offer, Hill still plans on participating in New Orleans' virtual offseason program as long as he and the team agree to a letter of protection that guarantees him the money if he were to suffer a season-ending injury during the workouts.

"At some point, Hill presumably will accept the one-year, $4.7 million tender offer," Florio wrote. "His only alternative at this point, barring a trade, will be to not play at all. And, obviously, Hill won't be doing that."

While Hill is technically a backup quarterback behind Drew Brees, the Saints use him in different ways.

He lines up on special teams, in Wildcat sets and at wide receiver at times and finished the 2019 campaign with 27 carries for 156 yards, 19 catches for 234 yards and seven total touchdowns. His presence gave the Saints the ability to implement trick plays and even give Brees a breather at times during the course of games.

The fact that the Saints didn't bring back Teddy Bridgewater this offseason means Hill could be the long-term answer at quarterback when the 41-year-old Brees retires.

However, Hill has thrown a grand total of 13 passes at the NFL level even though he played quarterback at BYU.

A bigger contract may be waiting when he is the starting quarterback in the future, but he will likely play in New Orleans on the one-year offer sheet for now even though he hasn't yet signed it.

The New Orleans Saints spent their 24th overall pick on former LSU linebacker Patrick Queen in Bleacher Report's 2020 user mock draft on Saturday night.

The draft is facilitated through user votes on the B/R app.

This is how the first round has played out so far:

1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14): Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2. Washington Redskins (3-13): Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
3. Detroit Lions (3-12-1): Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4. New York Giants (4-12): Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
5. Miami Dolphins (5-11): Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11): Jedrick Wills, OL, Alabama
7. Carolina Panthers (5-11): Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1): Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
10. Cleveland Browns (6-10): Andrew Thomas, OL, Georgia
11. New York Jets (7-9): Mekhi Becton, OL, Louisville
12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
13. San Francisco 49ers (via 7-9 Indianapolis Colts): Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9): Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
15. Denver Broncos (7-9): CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
16. Atanta Falcons (7-9): K'Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
18. Miami Dolphins (via 8-8 Pittsburgh Steelers): Josh Jones, OL, Houston
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via 8-8 Chicago Bears): A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via 9-7 Los Angeles Rams): Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
22. Minnesota Vikings (via 10-6 Buffalo Bills): Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
23. New England Patriots (12-4): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
24. New Orleans Saints (13-3): Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Queen emerged as a full-time starter as a junior last season for the undefeated national champions. The 6'0", 229-pound prospect recorded a career-high 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and 85 tackles (37 solo) across 15 games in 2019-20.

LSU LB Patrick Queen never allowed a reception longer than 20 yards on 488 career coverage snaps. pic.twitter.com/hz7EIBqOSL

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 8, 2020

Patrick Queen has allowed just 165 total yards on 355 coverage snaps this season.

Even the linebackers can cover💀 pic.twitter.com/OkB3xLtrVZ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 12, 2020

"He shined brightest on the biggest stages, turning in dominant performances in the SEC title game, college football semifinal, and in his team’s national championship win over Clemson," Sports Illustrated's Bob Rose wrote earlier this month while dissecting how Queen might fit in with the Saints.

The Louisiana native perhaps did the most to boost his draft stock at the annual scouting combine in February:

LSU linebacker Patrick Queen proved he’s a first-round talent at the Combine pic.twitter.com/7kYJQMdDCM

— PFF (@PFF) March 6, 2020

Isaiah Simmons: 4.39
Patrick Queen: 4.50
Kenneth Murray: 4.52https://t.co/6Dg0kWJ7ai

— PFF (@PFF) March 1, 2020

New Orleans' linebacking crew is spearheaded by 2012 third-round pick Demario Davis, who led the team with 111 tackles last season. New Orleans lost A.J. Klein to the Buffalo Bills in free agency, and 2017 third-rounder Alex Anzalone has proved to be an injury liability with shoulder ailments. He was limited to two games in 2019.

New Orleans also has Kiko Alonso under contract through 2020.

The Saints have been active in free agency prior to the draft. Former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins chose to return to New Orleans, who drafted him 14th overall in 2009, on a four-year deal. The secondary was further addressed by re-signing cornerback P.J. Williams and safety D.J. Swearinger for 2020.

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees gained an extra weapon, too. Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders signed with the Saints on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old will join Michael Thomas, who led all NFL receivers in receptions (149) and receiving yards (1,725) last season.

The Saints ranked fourth in rushing defense, 11th in total defense and 20th in passing defense en route to 13-3 last regular season.

Restricted free-agent quarterback Taysom Hill will remain with the New Orleans Saints after the offer-sheet deadline passed on Friday. 

The team had previously placed a first-round tender on Hill in early March.

The deadline to sign RFAs to offer sheets has come and gone, and there were no offer sheets this year. Players like #Saints QB Taysom Hill and #Browns RB Kareem Hunt will return to their teams.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2020

Saints putting money where mouth is: they’re planning to place 1st-round tender on restricted FA QB Taysom Hill, per source, meaning NO will have a chance to match any offer sheet he signs with another team or get back a first-round pick. Saints plan to re-sign him soon anyway.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2020

With starting quarterback Drew Brees returning to lead the Saints in 2020, Hill is likely in line to be his backup and play a slash-type role on offense.

The 29-year-old has essentially served as a Swiss Army knife for the Saints, contributing on offense and special teams.

After only playing on special teams as a rookie in 2017, his role expanded in 2018 and then got even bigger in 2019.

The undrafted free agent lined up all over the field on offense last season, including quarterback, but much of his time was spent as a tight end, wide receiver or H-back. That resulted in 27 rushes for 156 yards and one touchdown as well as career highs with 19 receptions for 234 yards and six scores.

The 6'2", 221-pound Idaho native also completed three of his six attempts for 55 yards.

Despite being only three years into his NFL career, Hill is already 29 after spending five years at BYU. Even so, he doesn't have much wear on his tires and likely has plenty of football ahead of him.

The biggest question regarding Hill is whether the type of player he is now represents the best use of him in the future or if he has the potential to be a starting NFL quarterback.

Hill's college numbers suggest not. He never completed at least 60 percent of his passes in a full season, and he also never threw for more than 2,938 yards or 19 touchdowns. His career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 43-31 wasn't great, either.

He did rush for 2,815 yards and 32 touchdowns, though, including 1,344 yards and 10 scores in 2013.

With mobile quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills enjoying success, perhaps there is a chance for Hill as well. 

Brandon Marshall's NFL career ended with a brief, forgettable stint with the New Orleans Saints in 2018.

Suffice it to say, he did not come away impressed with Sean Payton.

The wide receiver appeared on ESPN's First Take on Thursday and laid the blame at Payton's feet for the Saints' recent playoff struggles.

The 36-year-old, who was on the New Orleans roster for a month without playing a game before being released, said: 

"New Orleans, Sean Payton? Sean Payton continues to hurt his team. How do you have Drew Brees, Mike [Thomas], Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram a couple years ago, you have a defense that goes from crap the first half of the season to one of the most elite defenses we've ever seen in a season, and you lose in the playoffs?

"Two years, back to back? New Orleans is done. Their window is done. ... Their window is closed. I'm sorry.

"Did you see what happened to their defense last year? Do you see that everyone in the league has the book on New Orleans' offense now? Did you see that? It's over; it's a wrap."

Marshall didn't necessarily go into why he feels Payton is holding the Saints back. Payton is by far the best coach in franchise history, leading the franchise to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl XLIV victory.

Aside from the Super Bowl season, though, Payton's Saints have regularly fallen short in January. He is 5-7 in all other seasons and hasn't won more than one playoff game in any campaign. While Saints fans would point to the 2019 NFC Championship Game as evidence that sometimes things are out of their control, New Orleans has fallen short despite having talent on both sides of the ball on a number of occasions.

The Saints' window, however, may have more to do with Brees holding up than Payton. While the 41-year-old has remained effective in the regular season, he struggled in Wild Card Round loss to the Minnesota Vikings—to the point backup Taysom Hill was the best Saints player on the field. 

A more interesting story may be what lingering feelings may have led to Marshall feeling this way. 

Alvin Kamara was a 2017 NFL draft steal as the 67th overall pick. Now he is a star on the Saints and one of the league's best all-around running backs.

Watch the video above to find out where Bleacher Report NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller says Kamara would go in a 2017 re-draft.

    

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Cornerback Janoris Jenkins touched both ends of the NFL spectrum last season by starting the year with the New York Giants and ending it with the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints claimed Jenkins off waivers from the Giants in December. He appeared in the last two games of the regular season and started in their playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings. 

As Jenkins continues to prepare for the 2020 season with the Saints, the former Pro Bowler took time to answer questions in a B/R AMA about a variety of topics, including his departure from the Giants and what happened to the Saints in their playoff game against Minnesota. 

      

@EezOffaDeez: I'm a Giants fan but I feel like they did you and Snacks kinda dirty. Both of you were holding together a defense that was missing too many pieces. What are your thoughts? 

Janoris Jenkins: Business is business ma. In the game of football, you just gotta do what you can do and leave everything else up to the front office. I wish them well, and I had fun there.

         

@dritch0: What was it like in the locker room after y'all got robbed by the refs in the playoffs? 

Jenkins: It was sad, man. Everybody felt bad. But, you know, that's the way the game went. The outcome, we have to live with it. 

        

@MrFunFact: Who's the toughest receiver you've had to defend? 

Jenkins: Oh, me and AB went at it. I think it was 2016 when we played them at Pittsburgh. 

With AB now, I'm sure he has a team around him that talks to him about what's going on. But in situations like that, just stay off social media and spend time with your family.

     

@meliegreenbaum: What's up Janoris what's your relationship with Sean Payton like?

Jenkins: Pretty cool so far. Great guy, great vibe from him. He's a player coach. I love him as a coach, as a person. Getting to know him for such a short period of time, I can see why they're winning over there. 

       

@Jdub316: What was it like starting for UF, and winning a national championship as a freshman in 08? Any of the DBs mentor you? 

Jenkins: It felt great. Knowing that they were only missing one key spot, and it was CB, and for me to go in and be rewarded at the end of the year, it felt great. 

         

@Nadawg25: Top 5 corners of all time? 

Jenkins: Gotta put Prime at one. I gotta add my dog Lester Hayes. Charles Woodson was pretty nice. Top 5 is hard, there's some great CBs there. You have to respect Prime. 

         

@HypoHunter: Favorite moment at UF?

Jenkins: The national championship game. Florida vs. LSU game. That was my livest game. I think we were undefeated, and boy, we went out and did it. 

         

@mgoldstein87: Favorite memory as a Giant?

Jenkins: Everytime we played the Cowboys and I caught Dez. The environment was bizarre. 

       

@Ryanmurph9: Most hostile environment you've ever played in?

Jenkins: I think college, the national championship in Miami. 

      

@goat_mari38: Who's better Lamar or Vick?

Jenkins: Both in their prime? I got to go Vick. He did it for awhile. Not taking anything from Lamar, Vick just did it for awhile. 

        

@talenman: Have you ever picked off Drew in practice?

Jenkins: Nah, I've only been there 3-4 weeks. 

        

@LSUPelicansSaint: What's it like joining a team in the middle of the season? 

Jenkins: It was awesome. Went from salt to sugar. I can't complain. They put me in a good position. It was good.  

          

@JCTheLit: What are the keys for the saints to win a chip in the near future?

Jenkins: Continuing to perform at a high level at all positions, and play for each other. 

        

@SmartDingus: What have you been doing during quarantine?

Jenkins: Been relaxing, enjoying my kid. 

         

@vic4life: What did it feel like to play in the pro bowl?

Jenkins: Felt awesome. Great experience, i got to meet a lot of different guys I still stay in contact with. Hopefully I make it back. 

            

@AndrewMayer777: If you could pick off one QB who would it be?

Jenkins: Patrick Mahomes

           

@Not_RudyGobert: What's your favorite part about New Orleans?

Jenkins: Just the city. The vibe that I got from the coaches, the fans. Playing in my 2nd playoff game in NOLA, with the crowd and everything, I just fell in love with it. 

        

@flight23white: Best trash talker you know? 

Jenkins: Steve Smith and Dez Bryant. As far as talking trash, Dez will talk to you. 

      

@KCG_45K: What's your favorite place to eat in New Orleans? 

Jenkins: I don't have one yet. 

        

@JackamoFinany: What's your go-to meal before and after a game?

Jenkins: White rice, porked chops and corn. That's it. 

      

@goat_mari38: Chick-Fila-a or Popeyes

Jenkins: Chick-Fil-a. 

        

@mikeyoung345: Who's your favorite NBA player?

Jenkins: It was Melo all my life, until last year, when he sat out that year. Now I'm officially a KD fan. 

         

Universal AMA Questions

What is your favorite game or play of your career?

Jenkins: When I hit Fred Davis when I was in St. Louis vs. the Redskins. It was 3rd and 8, and he ran this quick route. And I just lit him up. 

        

Go-to pre-game song or soundtrack?

Jenkins: Not really. I play whatever I'm feeling that morning just to get into the zone. 

       

How far do you think the moon is from Earth?

Jenkins: It's far I know that!

        

Since being selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams, Jenkins has established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro second team in 2016. 

In 115 career games with the Rams, Giants and Saints, Jenkins has recorded 106 pass breakups and 23 interceptions. He has returned seven interceptions for touchdowns, tied for 11th-most in NFL history. 

Jenkins and the Saints will look to win the NFC South for the fourth straight year and reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years when the 2020 season begins.