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According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the New Orleans Saints have signed all four members of their 2020 draft class.
Saints signed their four-man draft class, led by former Michigan OL and first-round pick Cesar Ruiz.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2020
Amidst weeks of signings across the NFL for drafted rookies, the Saints took their time in getting their picks’ deals done until it was time for them to officially report to camp.
The class is headlined by Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz who was selected number 24 over all in the first round. Ruiz’s selection opened the door to the release of starting right guard Larry Warford. Camp will determine whether or not Ruiz remains at center in the Big Easy or if he takes a different role such as the vacated guard spot.
Two third round selections in Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun and Dayton tight end Adam Trautman. The Saints traded up for both of the day two selections including sending all of their remaining picks to the Minnesota Vikings to grab Trautman.
The Saints then traded back into the final round of the draft to select former Penn State and Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens. The young signal caller has been credited for his athleticism and possible fit with the Saints in another Taysom Hill-like role. Not to mention the hilarious and petty nature in which head coach Sean Payton carried out the trade.
No contract structures have been released at this time. This article will be updated as more details become available. One thing that we do know, however, is that the rookie deals will help pay for themselves by pushing players out of the top-51 metric. Meaning their prices will not be terribly steep in terms of cap hit. Nick Underhill calculates just a $1.6 million addition.
Which rookie are you most looking forward to in 2020? Let us know in the comments below. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel. As always, you can follow me on Twitter @RossJacksonNOLA and subscribe to my daily Saints podcast, Locked On Saints.