Cowboys Rumors: DAL Won't Draft Cesar Ruiz, 'Believe In' Current Center Options

The Dallas Cowboys reportedly aren't going to target Michigan center Cesar Ruiz during the first round of the 2020 NFL draft Thursday night.

ESPN's Todd Archer reported any scenario with the Cowboys selecting Ruiz, either at No. 17 or later in the round via a trade back, "won't happen tonight" because the team believes Joe Looney, Connor McGovern or Connor Williams can fill the offensive-line void created by Travis Frederick's retirement.

The Wolverines' standout has been a popular mock draft selection for Dallas because of the projected fit. He could jump right into the starting lineup to take over the spot held by Frederick for seven years.

Peter King of NBC Sports amplified the connection between Ruiz and the Cowboys last week.

"[No. 17 is] too high for a center, but they love the Michigan center, and they could trade down a few spots and still be sure of getting him," an NFL personnel source told King.

After the 17th selection, the Cowboys aren't scheduled to pick again until No. 51. It's unlikely Ruiz, the No. 26 overall player on the final big board from Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, would still be available.

"If you look at the film if you look at how I dominate people, if you look at my character, how smart I am, I have everything that (it takes) for a first-rounder," Ruiz told reporters at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in February. "I'm very confident in myself that I am a first-rounder."

Dallas does have other needs, led by edge-rusher and in the secondary, and having three players to compete for the center job does give the team a better chance of filling the void internally.

So, from a value perspective, the Cowboys' best option may be addressing those other needs first and, if it still wants to take another center for the competition, it should be able to take someone like LSU's Lloyd Cushenberry III or Wisconsin's Tyler Biadasz in the middle rounds.

It doesn't sound like Ruiz is in the cards for Dallas, though.