The New Orleans Saints won’t make it official just yet, but all signs point to rookie Erik McCoy winning the starting job at center. McCoy has been snapping the ball with the first-team offense for weeks, and he started the Saints’ first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, ultimately playing 28 snaps in the middle of the offensive line.

One analyst who was impressed by McCoy’s performance was NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, who highlighted McCoy on Twitter.

“His run blocking is what impressed me. He took the nose tackle for the Vikings for a lot of rides. I mean it was play after play,” Baldinger said. “This is one-on-one right here, look at the push. It’s like a John Deere tractor right here. Take the Vikings nose tackle off the ball like that.”

.@Saints @Erik_McCoy_73 started and played 28 snaps v @Vikings and was damn near dominant. Especially in the run game. #GeauxSaints #whodat and the offense might be better as a result. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/sxIvkUqAG6 — Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 13, 2019

Baldinger noted that he wasn’t worried about McCoy’s abilities in pass-protection, with the rookie having been responsible for just one sack in 39 starts at Texas A&M. But McCoy’s consistent (and at times dominant) push in the run game impressed him.

“On third-and-1 where does Latavius Murray go?” Baldinger asked. “Here’s the key. Watch McCoy dip and get good pad level to start. Watch the dip — he gets lower, right there, put the piano on his back. Carry the refrigerator up the stairs. Give it to McCoy to do.”

Baldinger also highlighted a devastating combo-block between McCoy and Nick Easton, starting at left guard in place of Andrus Peat, which paved the way for Alvin Kamara to reach the end zone. It’s early, but he makes a strong argument for McCoy to inspire confidence as the heir to longtime starter Max Unger, who retired earlier this year.