Cowboys Day 3 grades: Deuce Vaughn selection makes up for brutal trade

Cowboys Round 5-6

After neglecting the position all weekend, Dallas finally added a potential left guard with Asim Richards from North Carolina. Of course, he's no lock to play the position since he was an offensive tackle for the Tar Heels and will need to make the shift in the NFL.

Considered a 4th or 5th-round pick by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Richards wasn't a bad selection in terms of value at this spot. And if he can eventually develop into a starting guard, it will be well worth the pick.

The problem is, they waited too long to add to arguably their biggest need and that's going to lead to much harsher judgement on the 6-foot-4, 309-pounder.

It seemed that Dallas might have nearly waited even longer to pick an offensive lineman. They were back on the clock at No. 178 as they traded to the first pick in Round 6 — just nine selections after adding Asim Richards.

In order to make this selection, they gave up a fifth-round pick in 2024 and then brought in Eric Scott from Southern Miss. Typically, trading a future pick on Day 3 isn't terrible but when it's done to grab a player who many believed would be undrafted, it becomes a problem.

Scott was added simply due to his length. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn loves long defensive backs and Scott is listed at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds. He did have his share of good plays for Southern Miss but he's another older rookie who went the JuCo route and has yet to play agianst elite competition.

Dallas was clearly worried about not landing him but it would have been worth the risk especially when you look at what they did with late-round picks this year — adding Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks through trades.

Perhaps he proves us all wrong, but this felt like a reach and the worst part is, it will cost them in 2024 as well.