Many New Orleans Saints fans were looking forward to a training camp battle between Cesar Ruiz and Jeremiah Wright after Wright was drafted in the fourth round. Early rotations through organized team activities show Dillon Radunz, not Wright, is the biggest threat to Ruiz’ job.
Radunz played left guard last season and started most of the games. The position clearly needed some work, which is why the Saints spent big money on David Edwards. It wasn’t the end of Radunz’ time in New Orleans though. They brought him back in what many thought of purely as a depth move, but the move to right guard may be intentional.
Radunz may not be involved in a camp battle. That will be revealed as we get further into the offseason. The fact we aren't hearing both players taking snaps with the first team suggests it may not be a competition just yet. Having a veteran behind Ruiz keeps the clock ticking. Radunz has a lot of familiarity playing right guard, despite playing on the left side last year. It's not a huge leap to say he could put some pressure on Ruiz if Ruiz struggles this offseason.
Jeremiah Wright will have to likely wait a year until he gets into the fold
It was one thing to have to get through Ruiz in training camp. Adding Radunz to the mix makes it a much more daunting path for Wright to the starting lineup without injuries being the catalyst. It isn't that Ruiz or Radunz were world beaters a year ago. It's just more players for Wright to have to pass.
Might be good for Wright to have that redshirt year to develop. He came to Auburn as a defensive lineman, and he only has 24 games under his belt as an offensive lineman. There's still some work he needs to do and having a year to sit will ultimately help with that development.
Sitting for a year gives Wright a chance to sit back and watch. Displeasure with Ruiz has led to Wright being discussed as an earlier pick. He's still a fourth round pick. With that in mind, expecations will naturally be tempered. Wright certainly feels like the right guard of the future, but nothing says the future has to start during his rookie season.
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