On the third day of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys moved to the top of the sixth round by trading their 2024 fifth round draft pick for the first pick of the round (178th overall) to select Southern Mississippi cornerback Eric Scott, Jr. A tall and rangy corner, Scott (6-2) possesses the physical traits that Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn looks for in defensive backs in the mold of All-Pros, and current Cowboys, Trevon Diggs (6-1) and Stephon Gilmore (6-0). Scott concluded his collegiate career at Southern Miss with 78 tackles, 12 pass breakups, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 34 games and 27 starts in three collegiate seasons (2020-22) after transferring from Butler Community College (El Dorado, Kansas).
