Who is Anthony Smith? Introducing the Cowboys’ final draft selection
With the No. 218 selection in the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected East Carolina wide receiver Anthony Smith, making him the final selection for Dallas in the draft.
“I had the faith that I would get picked this weekend,” Smith said. “I had the hope ... We still kept the hope that I’d get drafted.”
With a spot in the starting group available at wide receiver following the departure of Jalen Tolbert this offseason, Smith steps in to bring competition to players such as Traeshon Holden and potentially Jonathan Mingo.
A transfer from North Carolina State where he played four seasons, Smith transferred to East Carolina where he hauled in 105 receptions for 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Smith reunites with Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., who was drafted in the third round out of East Carolina in 2025.
“We had talked the other day about things to expect at the next level and what to expect,” Smith said. “He has been pouring into me knowing this is my goal to be in the NFL.”
A player with ample special teams experience, he could factor in as an early contributor with a floor that should see him make the 53-man roster.
“[Special teams] is a big part of it,” VP of player personnel Will McClay said. “It doesn’t matter where you get drafted and where you come from, but it’s what you add to us. So, that element is there, and that gives him an upper hand, but there’s the other things that he has to do as well. That’s a part of it that goes in the evaluation. The quickest way to get on the field is special teams. He’s got an upper hand, because he’s done it at a good level. We’ll see if he can do it at the NFL level.”
Smith rounds out a draft class for the Cowboys that includes Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence, Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham, Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton, Florida cornerback Devin Moore and Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton.
This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 4:57 PM.
