FRISCO, Texas – It’s never too early for a mock draft, right?

ESPN Insider Todd McShay has his first mock draft for 2017 and with the 31st pick in the first round he has projected Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas to the Dallas Cowboys.

I’m not going to pretend to get into some debate about how Thomas does or does not fit the Cowboys’ scheme at this point. Of Thomas, McShay said he has size and strength and he can rush the quarterback with quickness and power. He has seven sacks, seven quarterback hurries and 13 tackles for loss.

Stanford DE Solomon Thomas goes to the Cowboys with the 31st pick in Todd McShay's first 2017 mock draft. Larry Placido/Icon Sportswire

So, fine, Solomon Thomas it is.

But what we can look at is how McShay’s mock came together with the Cowboys picking so late and their needs going into next season.

To me, the Cowboys have to lean defensively in the draft, especially with the money they will have to pay on the offensive side of the ball whether or not Tony Romo is on the roster. This year’s second-round pick Jaylon Smith will not play a down in 2016 but the belief is he will be a factor in 2017, so he can kind of count as a draft pick in a way.

But the Cowboys must find pass-rush help. They don’t have a dynamic pass-rusher and finding one late in the first round to contribute right away is a tall task. In McShay’s mock Thomas is the sixth defensive end (not including outside linebackers) to go in the first round.

The Cowboys also will need cornerback help. Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne will be free agents after the season. While the Cowboys could re-sign one or both, they still need to find help. Orlando Scandrick will be going into his 10th season. Anthony Brown, a sixth-round pick this year, has been a find.

In McShay’s mock, five cornerbacks went before the Cowboys’ selected. Two years ago with the 27th pick, the Cowboys drafted Byron Jones in the first round. He played mostly cornerback as a rookie but has been solid as a free safety in his second season. But he is still looking for his first interception.

If the Cowboys can find a player like Jones picking late in the first round then consider that a plus and another coup for personnel chief Will McClay.

The Cowboys will have offensive questions – wide receiver, tight end, right tackle and maybe even quarterback – but they must improve the talent on the defensive side of the ball.