For many, football is truly a year-round<a href="http://www.authentic49ersshop.com/shop-by-players-blaine-gabbert-jersey-c-1_8.html">http://www.authentic49ersshop.com/shop-by-players-blaine-gabbert-jersey-c-1_8.html</a>  sport. Even though the 2017 NFL draft just ended, many scouts and draft analysts hardly take any time off before diving into next year’s draft class. Count ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay among those already working towards 2018, as he just unveiled his new mock draft.

While mock drafts are far from accurate predictors of how the event ultimately plays out, they do serve a useful purpose in helping readers get to know the prospects and what they can potentially bring to NFL teams.  Not only that, but it gives insight into what the prognosticator thinks about where a team will end their<a href="http://www.authenticsteelerssale.com/shop-by-players-darrius-heywardbey-jersey-c-2_42.html">http://www.authenticsteelerssale.com/shop-by-players-darrius-heywardbey-jersey-c-2_42.html</a>  upcoming season.

McShay seems to think Dallas will once again have the best record among teams who lose in the divisional round, and has the Cowboys taking University of Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea.

Vea was a starter along the Huskies’ defensive line last season, and chose to return to school as a fourth year junior. It’s possible Vea could’ve been an early round draft pick this year, as he possesses an intriguing blend of pure size and athleticism. Dallas has a lot of bodies along it’s defensive line, but DT Cedric Thornton has a <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-merril-hoge-jersey-c-2_60.html">Merril Hoge Authentic Jersey</a> potential opt-out after this season, and newly signed DT Stephen Paea is on a one-year deal. There’s a chance the Cowboys could be looking for a new anchor along their defensive line next year.

Looking at the salary cap, Dallas has two expensive players at defensive tackle who have yet to prove they are worth their contracts.

Tyrone Crawford received a hefty extension prior to 2015 and seems to have already lost his starting job to 2016 third-round selection Maliek Collins. Thornton was signed in the 2016 offseason out of Philadelphia but couldn’t beat out Terrell McClain for the top spot. Both will have a chance to prove themselves in 2017, but if things remain on their current trajectory there could be room at the currently-crowded inn.

Dallas did draft a pair of late-round DTs in <a href="http://www.authenticsteelerssale.com/shop-by-players-ernie-stautner-jersey-c-2_51.html">Ernie Stautner Youth Jersey</a> Joey Ivie and Jordan Carrell, but both players face long odds towards cracking the Cowboys’ eventual final roster. Still, a lot can happen between now and the 2018 draft, and with another strong season, it’s plauisble Vea could be in play as a future Cowboys draft target.