Eric Scott didn’t contribute for the Cowboys as a rookie, but with roster changes and Mike Zimmer on board, he could break through in 2024. | From @ReidDHanson
The 2023 NFL draft was full of surprises for Cowboys fans. From the selection of a defensive tackle in the first round, to the seemingly panic-driven over-drafting of a TE in the second, to the c ‘est la vie approach to the RB position, Dallas did much to spark heated discussions across the fanbase.
But for as unpredictable and controversial as many of their decisions were that fateful weekend, one selection stood out amongst the rest as particularly puzzling: sixth round pick Eric Scott Jr. from Southern Miss.
When the Cowboys picked Scott, draft analysts went scrambling. Franticly flipping through notes, sharing panicked looks, and filling the broadcast with enough empty words and sound fillers to make even the most hardened speech teacher cringe.
Dane Brugler, the benchmark in all things draft, had Scott listed as his 60th ranked CB in the class. He only profiled the top 46. Many were at a loss for words, especially because the Cowboys didn’t just sit back and settle for Scott, they aggressively pursued him.
Trading a 2024 fifth-round pick to Kansas City, the Cowboys jumped into the top of the sixth and selected a hardly-known CB just nine spots after selecting Asim Richards in the fifth. It’s possible a spirited discussion at the Richards pick led to an “ok then, let’s try to pick them both” type of situation.
Regardless, it was clear the Cowboys wanted Scott and saw something most draft experts did not. It made him a fun storyline to follow in minicamps and the preseason and will likely make him a fun one again in 2024, even if he is seen as the forgotten draft pick from the 2023 class.
Scott graded out as a big, strong, athletically gifted prospect in the draft process. But a reported quad injury tanked his 40-time, causing him to fall on many boards. The Cowboys saw him as one of the most explosive players in the draft. That explosiveness, a trait they value greatly, was seen from Scott early in his offseason work in Dallas.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound CB, was a standout in OTAs. With Trevon Diggs and Nahshon Wright sitting out, Scott got first-team reps and showed many in attendance why the Cowboys moved up for him. Eventually the logjam at CB and his rawness as a prospect caught up for him and Scott’s rookie season essentially served as a redshirt year for the 25-year-old prospect.
In 2024 the scene has changed considerably. Stephon Gilmore and Jourdan Lewis are both free agents and Dan Quinn has been replaced by Mike Zimmer. Opportunities on the roster should be there for Scott and the scheme of Zimmer should work to Scott’s advantage as well.
Zimmer loves big physical CBs who can play man, play the ball, and make tackles in space. That’s Scott. A full year in the Cowboys program and a full offseason to absorb Zimmer’s schemes will allow Scott to start on a level playing field with the other supportive DBs on the roster.
It’s likely Scott won’t be challenging for a top-3 spot anytime soon, but a strong presence on special teams will go a long way in carving out a depth role in 2024. Scott played predominantly on the boundary in college, taking 499 snaps outside, compared to just 48 as a slot/box player in 2022. But if he can prove capable of inside/outside versatility it could be all he needs to jump to the top of the reserve pecking order.
He’s a fun player to think about in Zimmer’s defense and someone everyone should have an eye on over the summer.
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]
