Projecting the Saints 53-Man Roster: Center

The New Orleans Saints' final 53-man roster will be tightly contested. The Saints News Network projects the team's Centers to earn spots in 2020.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS CENTERS

Cesar Ruiz
Erik McCoy
Will Clapp
Cameron Tom

*NOTE: Erik McCoy or Cesar Ruiz will start at RG in 2020 but both will be viewed as C headed into Training Camp*

LOCKS AT CENTER

Cesar Ruiz, 1st NFL Season

Watched Michigan center Cesar Ruiz vs. Notre Dame tonight - he was lights out

Can play guard or center at the next level with his size (6'4, 320). I'd be shocked to see him make it out of round 2 or even the top 50 pic.twitter.com/TupajUOY4P
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) February 5, 2020

The Saints first-round pick of this year’s NFL Draft “was not drafted to be a backup” according to head coach Sean Payton. His statement proved true just a week later when the Saints released 3x Pro Bowl RG Larry Warford. Ruiz, the nation’s best blocking center according to PFF, will compete with Erik McCoy for the starting center spot but can play anywhere on the interior of the OL. New Orleans found success with a rookie center last season and are hoping for similar success with Ruiz in 2020.

Erik McCoy, 2nd NFL Season

Erik McCoy was IMPRESSIVE in his first career start in week 1.

Clips 1-3: Recognizing & passing off stunts with authority

Clip 4: Rip/run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/k5fbYuNDYv
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 11, 2019

McCoy started all 16 games at center for the New Orleans Saints last season, but is fighting to start there again in 2020. While the second-year Texas A&M man will start on the Saints OL, he will battle first-round pick Cesar Ruiz for the right to quarterback the OL. McCoy and Ruiz both can play at both OG and C in the NFL and make a great young tandem on paper. Regardless of who starts where, the Saints are built for sustained success from the inside out.

ON THE BUBBLE AT CENTER

Will Clapp, 3rd NFL Season

.@saints game plan started with pass protection and they did it in a variety of ways adding extra O-Lineman #WillClapp to the mix and making sure @teddyb_h2o was comfortable. No @drewbrees No @A_kamara6 No problem. This is a complete TEAM #teammsaks #WhoDat #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/ztIlHg2uz2
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 21, 2019

The top reserve OL for the Saints in 2019, Clapp appeared in 14 games and registered 3 starts. A versatile weapon, Clapp has started games at OG and jumbo TE in his young NFL career. With the need of reserve OL at a premium, expect Clapp to continue his role from last season if he continues his development throughout camp.

Cameron Tom, 4th NFL Season

.@ZachStrief played a lot of football for the #Saints (12 years) and he believes #USM grad Cameron Tom is a "sleeper" for New Orleans.

A young @patrickclayTV caught up with Strief in Gulfport. @SouthernMissFB pic.twitter.com/sHfbeE6iX8
— Taylor Curet (@TaylorCuret) July 10, 2018

Tom’s season ended prematurely in 2019 after landing on Injured Reserve during training camp. During his first two NFL seasons, Tom appeared in 11 games, starting one. The Southern Miss product is a Baton Rouge native, looking for more playing time in 2020. An intriguing NFL prospect, the Saints may find it difficult to find room for Tom on the 53-man roster. If New Orleans tries to stash him on the practice squad, Tom could easily find himself in another uniform in 2020.

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