The Dallas Cowboys made it clear that defense would be their top priority in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they still managed to add a spark on offense with their final pick on Day 3. Enter Anthony Smith, a speedy wide receiver from East Carolina who turned heads with an impressive senior season. With the Cowboys only drafting two offensive players this year, Smith is a name fans should get to know. Here are five things to know about the rookie wideout.
1. Blazing Speed
The Cowboys didn't want to risk Smith slipping into undrafted free agency, and it's easy to see why. He clocked a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, and his game speed is even more electric. Over two seasons at East Carolina, Smith averaged 17.1 yards per reception, consistently turning short passes into big gains. Whether he's lining up at wide receiver or returning kicks on special teams, his wheels make him a threat anywhere on the field.
2. ECU Connection
Smith isn't the first Pirate to land in Dallas. The Cowboys now have three former East Carolina players on their roster, including cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a third-round pick in 2025, and safety Julius Wood, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Smith and Revel were teammates during Smith's final season at ECU, so there's already some built-in chemistry in the locker room.
3. A College Football Veteran
Smith is no rookie when it comes to experience. He played six seasons of college football, starting at North Carolina State in 2020 before transferring to East Carolina. With the Wolfpack, he contributed both as a receiver and on special teams, but his game truly exploded after the move. In two seasons at ECU, he racked up 2,095 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns, proving he can be a reliable playmaker.
4. Family Ties
Football runs in the Smith family. During his final season at East Carolina, Smith shared the field with his younger brother, Evan Powell, a defensive lineman who redshirted in 2025. The two attended the same high school in Huntington, Maryland, making their time together as Pirates a special chapter in both their careers.
5. Big-Play Potential
Smith's 2025 season was his best yet: 65 catches for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns. But the stat that really pops is his 20 receptions of 15 or more yards. That kind of big-play ability is exactly what the Cowboys need to stretch the field and keep defenses honest. As a seventh-round pick with a chip on his shoulder, Smith could be one of the steals of the draft.