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Late Thursday night we'll know the entire first round of the NFL draft and begin the discussion of who did what and why.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay have their final mock drafts.

Kiper has the Cowboys taking North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. Says Kiper:

The Cowboys currently have 31-year-old Jay Ratliff as one starting defensive tackle, and 30-year-old Jason Hatcher as the other. They may have other more pressing needs, but if the Cowboys can't put together a solid rotation on the interior of their defensive line, the conversion to a 4-3 is going to be ugly.

To get the rest of the first round, go here. You need to be an ESPN Insider to get the complete list.

McShay's final mock draft has Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson going in the first round to the Cowboys. McShay has Williams going to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 23.

Here's McShay's mock. You have to be an ESPN Insider to view it.

PODCAST
Nate Newton went undrafted in 1983, but he still feels like he was part of one of the greatest draft classes in league history. Newton joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss his draft experience from 30 years ago and his journey to three rings. Listen

IRVING, Texas – While most draftniks focus their mock draft on the first or first and second rounds, the guys at Scouts Inc. have gone through the entire seven-round process.

For those of you wanting the Cowboys to go heavy on the offensive line, they didn’t disappoint. Three of the team’s six picks were on the offensive line.

Here you go:

1 – DL Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
2 – OL Kyle Long, Oregon
3 – S. J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern
4 – CB Sanders Commings, Georgia
5 – OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
6 – C Khaled Holmes, Southern Cal

That would leave the Cowboys on the lookout for running backs, wide receivers and tight ends if the draft fell this way. Richardson, Long and Wilcox were among the team’s national visitors. Holmes would be a good get in the sixth round.

With the 18th pick of the NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys will select ...

With that, we look at five players that the Cowboys might select with their first-round pick Thursday night:

PODCAST
Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss some of the players the Cowboys should be looking at in the upcoming NFL draft. Listen

1. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina: Highly-regarded player had just two seasons of work in college. Scouts say he has a quick first step, excellent swim move and strong, active hands. Selecting Williams will become more of a reality if a safety or offensive linemen aren't available and the desire to move down decreases. He won't start right away because of the Cowboys' experience along the defensive line, but he most likely will be a starter in 2014.

2. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: He fills a need at the position where he can play close to the line of scrimmage and in coverage. The Cowboys want defensive backs to make plays on the ball, and the Cowboys defensive coaches and scouts believe he can do this. Vaccaro covers a lot of ground because he plays fast and displays smarts to make plays.

3. D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama: In a draft heavy with guards and tackles, Fluker should be around in the teens. He's been projected to go late in the first round or possibly early in the second. He's got one of the biggest wingspans (87 1/4) of any tackle in the draft, displays good hands and has power to push defenders off the line of scrimmage.

4. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: The Cowboys might have to choose between Williams and Richardson. Both players attended JUCOs, but it seems Richardson needs some work. He's got the measureables (6-2, 294 pounds), a quick first step and makes plays away from the line of scrimmage. But he had shoulder surgery before the 2012 season and played only one full season at Missouri.

5. Chance Warmack, G, Alabama: He's considered one of the best guards in the draft along with Jonathan Cooper. There's some doubt if Warmack will be around at No. 18, but if he falls somehow, the Cowboys need to grab him. Warmack has good foot quickness, balance and strength. He had 40 starts in the SEC, which is impressive to NFL coaches and scouts.

IRVING, Texas – Jerry Jones basically bought an ad in the NFL classifieds during Monday’s pre-draft press conference, sending out the message that the Cowboys could be in trade-down mode when they get on the clock with the 18th overall pick.

PODCAST
Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss some of the players the Cowboys should be looking at in the upcoming NFL draft. Listen

That news was met with a lot of moaning and groaning from Cowboys fans.

How can you be adamantly against trading down if you have no idea what the offer might be or which players might be available? Folks just don’t trust GM Jerry.

Should they in this situation? Let’s look at the Cowboys’ history of trading down in the first round during the Jerry era.

1991 -- No. 14 overall (obtained from New Orleans – RB Leonard Russell) to New England for No. 17 overall (traded to Washington – DT Bobby Wilson) and No. 110 overall (DE Kevin Harris).

No. 17 overall (Wilson) to Washington for No. 20 overall (traded to Detroit -- DT Kelvin Pritchett) and No. 132 overall (Darrick Brownlow).

No. 20 overall (Pritchett) to Detroit for No. 37 overall (LB Dixon Edwards), No. 64 overall (G James Richards) and No. 108 overall (DE Tony Hill).

PODCAST
How close were the Cowboys to getting John Elway in 1983? Fitzsimmons and Durrett discuss what could have been if John Elway got his wish and was traded to Dallas. Listen

These three deals have to be judged essentially as one. After all the wheeling and dealing was done, the Cowboys turned the 14th overall pick into a second-round linebacker who started for two Super Bowl title teams (Edwards), a third-round guard who never played an NFL game (Richards), a fourth-round defensive end who played 13 games in two NFL seasons (Hill) and a fifth-round linebacker who made 11 tackles in two separate one-year stints in Dallas (Brownlow).

This was a case of great value on Jimmy Johnson’s trade chart and essentially a push in reality. Russell ended up being a decent running back, rushing for 3,973 yards and 29 touchdowns in his career, and it’s not as if the Cowboys passed on a Hall of Famer who went later in the first round. Edwards contributed to three title teams, starting for two.

This deal would have been a steal if the Cowboys selected offensive tackle Erik Williams at No. 64 overall. They ended up drafting him six picks later.

1993 -- No. 29 overall (S George Teague) and No. 112 overall (Albert Fontenot) to Green Bay for No. 46 overall (WR Kevin Williams), No. 54 overall (LB Darrin Smith), No. 94 overall (RB Derrick Lassic) and No. 213 overall (LB Reggie Givens).

PODCAST
Nate Newton went undrafted in 1983, but he still feels like he was part of one of the greatest draft classes in league history. Newton joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss his draft experience from 30 years ago and his journey to three rings. Listen

Both of the second-round picks the Cowboys acquired contributed to two Super Bowl title teams. Williams was a quality punt and kick returner who started at receiver for the Cowboys’ last championship team, setting career highs with 38 catches for 613 yards and two touchdowns that season. Smith started all four of his seasons in Dallas.

Teague had a solid nine-year career, but he ended up spending most of that in Dallas anyway. Fontenot also lasted nine NFL seasons, making 81 starts. Lassic lasted 10 games, and Givens never played for the Cowboys.

Give the Cowboys a win for this deal, but it wasn’t lopsided by any measure.

1995 -- No. 28 overall (LB Derrick Brooks) to Tampa Bay for No. 41 overall (traded to Atlanta – DB Ron Davis) and No. 63 overall (OG Shane Hannah).

All Brooks did in Tampa Bay was go to 11 Pro Bowls, be named first-team All-Pro five times, win a Super Bowl and establish himself as one of the best linebackers of his generation.

Hannah started the Cowboys’ tradition of early-round offensive line busts, getting hurt in training camp and never playing a game in the NFL. They flipped Davis for a second-rounder (RB Sherman Williams) and fourth-rounder (TE Eric Bjornson), a couple of backups who combined for 10 career touchdowns.

This might be the worst draft-day deal the Cowboys ever made.

1996 -- No. 30 overall (Andre Johnson) to Washington for No. 37 overall (DE Kavika Pittman) and No. 67 overall (C Clay Shiver).

Pittman made 18 sacks in eight NFL seasons (10 in four seasons for the Cowboys). Shiver started 25 games, but that was evidence of how weak the Cowboys were at center, as he was out of the league after three years.

Johnson was a huge bust for the Redskins. He never played a game in Washington.

The Cowboys would have been better off staying put and drafting Texas product Tony Brackens in the first round. Brackens, picked No. 33 overall by Jacksonville, had 55 sacks and 27 forced fumbles in his eight-year career.

2002 -- No. 6 overall (DT Ryan Sims) to Kansas City for No. 8 overall (SS Roy Williams), No. 75 overall (CB Derek Ross) and a sixth-round pick in 2003 (WR Zuriel Smith).

A couple of Williams’ five Pro Bowl berths were reputation selections after his performance fell off, but he was a dominant force as a playmaking intimidator early in his career. That’s much more than you can say for Sims, who only had one more sack in his career than Williams did.

Ross looked like a steal when he had five picks as a rookie, but the character red flags that caused him to drop into the third round proved true. Bill Parcells got rid of him midway through Ross’ second season. Smith played nine games for the Cowboys, contributing primarily as a return specialist.

This was a good deal for Dallas, just not nearly the steal it seemed destined to be during the rookie seasons of Williams and Ross.

2004 -- No. 22 overall (QB J.P. Losman) to Buffalo for No. 43 overall (RB Julius Jones), No. 144 overall (TE Sean Ryan) and a 2005 first-rounder (DE Marcus Spears).

Spears was a serviceable player for the last eight seasons. Ryan was a nonfactor during his two years in Dallas.

But this deal comes down to Steven Jackson vs. Julius Jones.

The Cowboys decided, based strongly on the input of running backs coach Maurice Carthon, that there wasn’t much difference between the top back on the board and the backs who would be available in the second round.

Jackson has rushed for 10,135 yards and counting, more than twice as many as Jones ran for during his career. Jackson has accounted for 64 touchdowns, almost three times Jones’ total.

Oops.

2007 -- No. 22 overall (QB Brady Quinn) to Cleveland for No. 36 overall (traded to Philadelphia – QB Kevin Kolb) and a 2008 first-rounder (RB Felix Jones).

The Cowboys were tempted to pick Quinn, who they had in the top 10 on their board, but they opted to fully commit to a quarterback with 10 starts under his belt named Tony Romo. Considering that Quinn is with his fourth team and Romo just got $55 million guaranteed, it’s pretty clear that was the right call.

The Cowboys moved back into the first round to select OLB/DE Anthony Spencer, giving up third- and fifth-rounders to do so. No regrets there, with Spencer a solid player coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance and Kolb failing to make an impact in Philadelphia.

This deal would have looked like a stroke of genius if the Cowboys picked Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice or Jamaal Charles the next year. Alas, they selected an Arkansas alum to be a change-of-pace back. Felix Jones had some flashes of brilliance, but his Dallas tenure was a pretty big disappointment given the quality of backs picked behind him.

This was still a solid deal for Dallas.

There's an interesting story on former Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Brad Johnson in USA Today detailing his post-NFL life. Johnson played with four NFL teams during a 17-year career that ended in 2008 after a two-year stint with the Cowboys.

Johnson won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay and compiled a 72-53 mark as a starter, including a 1-2 record when replacing an injured Tony Romo.

In the USA Today story, Johnson discusses the constant struggle he has had with his health.

"I go down one step at a time with two feet. One step. One step. One step," the 44-year-old former NFL quarterback tells USA Today's Robert Klemko. "My 73-year-old dad was visiting and I told my son to help him get his suitcases up the steps. He walks slow and he's got a bad knee. He starts walking and my son turns to me and he says, 'Dad, he walks just like you.' "I never thought it would be like this."

Johnson said he wouldn't change anything about his career or how he played. This one quote from the story jumped out at me more than any other: "Deacon Jones said you have to give your body to the game," Johnson says. "You look at him and his fingers are crooked. His eyes are probably crooked, too. But he's right — you have to give your body."

IRVING, Texas – There is a good possibility that by the time the Cowboys are on the clock with the 18th pick, all of the players they gave first-round grades to will be gone.

PODCAST
Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss some of the players the Cowboys should be looking at in the upcoming NFL draft. Listen

The prevailing and wise thought would be for the Cowboys to trade down.

But it’s easier to say, ‘Oh, just trade down,’ than to actually make a trade. There has to be somebody worth coming up to get. In a draft that does not have high-ranked skill players, it will be more difficult to find somebody willing to pay a price to move up.

And from the reports out there, just about everybody is looking to trade down. Maybe that makes a move up more palatable, but I think everybody knows how I’d feel about a trade up that would cost the Cowboys a second-round pick.

PODCAST
How close were the Cowboys to getting John Elway in 1983? Fitzsimmons and Durrett discuss what could have been if John Elway got his wish and was traded to Dallas. Listen

Two names could help the Cowboys find a trade-down partner: Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes and Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner.

If they are there at No. 18 and the Cowboys’ targets on the offensive and defensive lines are wiped out, then they could be in a spot to make a move and pick up extra early-round picks.

But the Cowboys have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario of having their first-round players gone and no trade partners available.

If they are stuck, then what direction (player or position) would you want them to go?

As part of the relief efforts to support the town of West, Texas, the community hit hard by the fertilizer plant explosion last week, the Dallas Cowboys donated $100,000 to the Salvation Army.

"The community of West, Texas, has suffered a tremendous loss through this tragedy," Charlotte Anderson, president of charities for the Dallas Cowboys, said in a statement. "But they have also shown their strength and resilience in beginning the healing process as well. We hope that others will join us in supporting the efforts of The Salvation Army as the focus turns to providing the resources necessary to help the great people of West rebuild."

Salvation Army personnel are scheduled to attend the Cowboys' annual NFL draft party at Cowboys Stadium on Thursday to collect financial donations from fans wishing to join the outreach effort.

The Cowboys haven't officially announced when training camp will begin in Oxnard, Calif., but it's the second consecutive year camp will start on the West Coast.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the organization hasn't ruled out a return to San Antonio in the near future. The Cowboys last conducted training camp in San Antonio in 2011.

"No one loves San Antonio more than the Dallas Cowboys," Jones said on KZDC-AM on Tuesday. "I think they may be a bigger percentage of the population that are Cowboys fans in San Antonio than they maybe are in the Metroplex. We certainly cherish our relationship with San Antonio, albeit we don't have a specific time (on a return).

"My money says we'll be back there again. We always have a great experience there and we certainly never take for granted our great following and our great fans there in San Antonio, and the city there has never treated us with anything but the best. We certainly look forward to coming back there in the future."

The Cowboys signed a five-year deal with the city of San Antonio to hold training camp practices at the Alamodome in 2007.

Last year, the Cowboys returned to Oxnard for the first time since 2008, when they had training camp in Oxnard because of an event in San Antonio.

IRVING, Texas – On Tuesday I upset some people when I questioned the philosophy the Cowboys chose in 2011 and ’12 to select Tyron Smith and Morris Claiborne.

PODCAST
How close were the Cowboys to getting John Elway in 1983? Fitzsimmons and Durrett discuss what could have been if John Elway got his wish and was traded to Dallas. Listen

I believe they left too much on the table by not taking a trade with Jacksonville in 2011, and then by giving up their second-rounder to move up to get Claiborne. To justify their non-move and move, Smith and Claiborne have to be close to all-world in my view.

I believe the more picks you have, the better off you will be. Jimmy Johnson showed that. But I want to add this obvious nugget: the more early picks (top two rounds), the better off you’ll be.

But that was yesterday’s debate.

So now I present to you the argument as to why many of you believe the Cowboys did the correct thing in staying put for Smith and trading up for Claiborne: The Cowboys struggle drafting.

Since 2007, the Cowboys have drafted 47 players and only 18 remain. That’s not good. After a quick perusal of the NFC East, it’s the worst percentage (38.3%) of any team in the division. From 2007-12, Philadelphia has 28 of 59 picks left (47.5%); Washington has 24 of 48 picks (50%) and the New York Giants have 24 of 46 picks left (52%).

PODCAST
Nate Newton went undrafted in 1983, but he still feels like he was part of one of the greatest draft classes in league history. Newton joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss his draft experience from 30 years ago and his journey to three rings. Listen

Now, teams will have fewer players left from 2007-08 because most of those players have moved on to second contracts.

As we all know the Cowboys don’t have a player left from the 2009 draft, but that was a year in which they didn’t have first- or second-round picks. The Giants have five of nine picks left from ’09. The Redskins have one of six picks left from ’09. The Eagles have two of eight picks left from ’09.

In the last three years, which should be the core of a team, the Cowboys have 15 of 21 picks left. The Eagles are the worst with 23 of 33 picks. Washington is the best at 21 of 27 and the Giants have 16 of 22 picks remaining.

So am I contradicting myself from Tuesday’s post? No. The Cowboys had a chance to gain an extra second-round pick in 2011 and keep their own second-rounder last year. Four of the Cowboys’ six first-round picks from 2007-12 remain in Anthony Spencer, Dez Bryant, Smith and Claiborne. Two of their three second-rounders from that span remain in Sean Lee and Bruce Carter.

The three departures are Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins and Martellus Bennett. They weren’t busts, but they weren’t hits either. The best thing you can say is they played out their contracts.

There was concern, I won't lie, as I sat there with the No. 18 pick for the Dallas Cowboys in the ESPN.com blogger mock draft. Dallas absolutely needs to come out of the first round with a new starting offensive lineman, and they were going off the board quickly. The top three tackles went in the top five picks, and when guard Chance Warmack went to Arizona at No. 7, I got worried.

Eyeing North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper, who was still on the board at No. 10, I reached out to Paul Kuharsky to ask if the Titans wanted to trade down. He said they did. I offered Dallas' first-round pick and third-round pick (Picks 18 and 80) for the No. 10. Paul countered by offering Picks 10 and 142 (fifth round) for Picks 18 and 47 (second round). I said I couldn't do that, after ripping the Cowboys for giving up their second-round pick last year to move up for Morris Claiborne. Don't want to be hypocritical, right?

So Paul and I talked about some possibilities involving 2014 compensation, but we couldn't agree on it, and he ended up taking Sharrif Floyd for the Titans at No. 10. My next move was to reach out to Bill Williamson, who was picking for the Chargers at No. 11. I made the same offer to him -- the 18 and the 80 -- but he said he was going to stay put and make a pick. He picked Cooper, which obviously disappointed me-as-Cowboys.

Now I had my eye on D.J. Fluker, the Alabama tackle who would allow the Cowboys to bid goodbye to Doug Free and help solidify the run game. I think he's the absolute perfect guy for the Cowboys at 18 if the guards are gone by then, and the only team I was still afraid might snatch him away was Carolina at 14. Fluker didn't feel worthy of trading up for, so I decided I'd stay put and hope he fell to 18, and if he didn't, I'd look into trading down and going after someone like Syracuse's Justin Pugh.

But Pat Yasinskas took Sheldon Richardson for Carolina at 14. And (because I know you guys want to know) Mike Sando took safety Kenny Vaccaro for the Rams at 16. And lo and behold, there was Fluker still sitting there at 18 for the Cowboys. I ran to the podium.

Will the Cowboys do the same if the same situation plays out Thursday night? It doesn't sound like them. But I think they'd be wise to take Fluker. And I don't even think they'd be nuts to take an offensive lineman in the second round as well. The need -- short term and long term -- is that significant.

The Cowboys like starting running back DeMarco Murray, but he has had injury issues and there are questions about whether he can stay healthy over the long term.

PODCAST
Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss some of the players the Cowboys should be looking at in the upcoming NFL draft. Listen

It means the Cowboys could be in the market for a running back in the middle rounds of this weekend's NFL draft.

Montee Ball, Johnathan Franklin, Giovani Bernard and Mike Gillislee could be available in the middle part of the draft.

Currently, Lance Dunbar and Phillip Tanner are the backups to Murray. The Cowboys have praised Dunbar's work, but they still could be looking for more help in the backfield.

"There's a lot of things that can help our football team," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on San Antonio's KZDC-AM on Tuesday afternoon. "If you do look, unfortunately, at DeMarco's history, he had (health issues) at Oklahoma, though he was very productive. He's had (health issues) here. So obviously without Felix Jones in the fold right now, we don’t have that answer in terms of having a complementary back to DeMarco, so that will be something we will have our eyes on as well."

Murray missed six games last season because of a severe bruise on his left foot and finished with 663 rushing yards. The Cowboys' rushing attack finished No. 31 in the NFL last season, leading to the release of running backs coach Skip Peete and raising questions about the offensive line.

The Cowboys need to improve this area if they're going to take pressure off quarterback Tony Romo in 2013.

The Cowboys moved up from the No. 14 spot of the 2012 NFL draft to select LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne with the sixth overall pick.

PODCAST
How close were the Cowboys to getting John Elway in 1983? Fitzsimmons and Durrett discuss what could have been if John Elway got his wish and was traded to Dallas. Listen

Claiborne was the second-highest rated player on the Cowboys' draft board, following quarterback Andrew Luck.

Will the Cowboys move up in 2013?

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones doesn't believe it'll happen.

"I don't think so, but I wouldn't totally rule it out," Jones said on KZDC-AM San Antonio on Tuesday afternoon. "Typically you save those big move ups for your skill players ... whether it's a corner or a pass-rusher on defense, a quarterback, running back, receiver. You're usually willing to give up a player later in the draft to really get a guy you want. I don't necessarily see that for us this year."

This year's draft is deep along the offensive and defensive lines and at defensive back.

The Cowboys have needs at those positions, but with the draft being so deep in certain areas, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he's willing to trade down from No. 18. But they do have priorities.

"I think protecting our big investments probably first and foremost, our commitment of resources we made to (Tony) Romo," Stephen Jones said on KZDC-AM. "What you want to do is keep him standing up and healthy, and if the right situation occurs there to help protect him in the offensive line, you've got to take a look at that. At the same time, you can't compromise the integrity of your board."

ESPN Dallas' Calvin Watkins and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer discuss what to expect from the Eagles in the NFL draft.

Click here to listen.

ESPN Dallas' Calvin Watkins and Mike Jones of the Washington Post discuss what to expect from the Redskins in the NFL draft.

Click here to listen.

ESPN Dallas' Calvin Watkins and ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk discuss what to expect from the Giants in the NFL draft.

Click here to listen.