Cesar Ruiz would be definitive answer to Cowboys questions at center

While most NFL Mock Drafts have the Cowboys going defense, offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz could be the man to fill the Travis Fredrick void

The Dallas Cowboys have major needs on defense but writers across the board have seemingly ignored their need to replace All-Pro center, Travis Fredrick. Hundreds of mock drafts over the last few months focus on beefing up their defense either by adding some depth to the defensive line, or helping out their secondary by drafting a cornerback or safety.

Fredrick shocked Cowboys Nation on March 23 when he announced his retirement from the NFL after just seven seasons in the league. A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro walking away leaves big shoes to fill.  The Cowboys currently have Joe Looney who started in 2018 while Frederick was out, and 2019 third-round pick Connor McGovern played center at Penn State in 2017, but if the Cowboys steer away from defense at No. 17, Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz would instantly fill that void.

Ruiz comes into the 2020 NFL Draft as one of the top interior offensive lineman. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs in at just about 320 pounds. At just 20 years old, there is plenty of room to grow both physically and mentally as he joins the NFL.

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Ruiz recently sat down (virtually) with NFL Network reporter and producer Jane Slater and Bobby Belt on The Boys and Girl Podcast.  

Asked about what he’s dealt with so far when it came to pre-draft meetings. He said that things definitely had a different feel to them and wasn’t what he had expected but that you can get the same info out of a player in a face-to-face interview or a Zoom interview virtually.

Ruiz told the hosts he’s seen up to 12 teams already, including Dallas. He only spoke to new Cowboys offensive line coach Joe Philbin in which he got to know him a bit and tested Ruiz’s football knowledge.

Included in the dozen teams were the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, two division rivals of the Cowboys.

Ruiz acknowledged most interviews lasted anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes but some longer ones could go past the hour mark.

Ruiz said he’s watched plenty of Travis Fredrick film coming up as a center at Michigan. As big of shoes that they are to fill, he welcomes the challenge and hopes to make the shoes “even bigger”.

Since the age of 10, all Ruiz has ever wanted to do was play football. He’s a goal-orientated young man with the versatility to not only play center but anywhere on the interior offensive line. There are plenty of teams in the NFL seeking a dynamic player like Ruiz but in that first round it typically comes down to need. The Dallas Cowboys have a starting caliber center on their current roster in Joe Looney, but there’s never been a team in the history of the league who complained about having too many good offensive lineman on the depth chart.

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