Anthony Smith Drafted by Dallas Cowboys as Seventh-Round Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Key keywords: Anthony Smith, Dallas Cowboys, 2026 NFL Draft, seventh-round NFL pick, defensive back, college football standout, NFL rookie, late-round draft steal, NFL scouting, Dallas Cowboys secondary depth
On the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft held in Detroit on April 27, the Dallas Cowboys used their 248th overall pick in the seventh round to select Anthony Smith, a star defensive back from Ohio State University, ending months of speculation around Smith’s draft prospects. A four-year contributor for the Buckeyes, Smith started 27 games at right cornerback over his last two collegiate seasons, posting 8 interceptions, 32 pass deflections, 112 solo tackles, and 19 special teams tackles as a core member of Ohio State’s 2025 Big Ten championship-winning defense. His draft stock fell from an initial third-to-fourth round grade to the late rounds after a mild hamstring strain sidelined him for three games in his senior year, leading to inconsistent performance in the latter half of the season that made many teams hesitant to use an earlier pick on him.
The Cowboys’ pick fills a clear roster need: the team lost two backup slot cornerbacks to free agency in the 2026 offseason, leaving a noticeable gap in secondary depth heading into training camp. Dallas’s head of scouting said in a post-draft press conference that the team has tracked Smith for over two years, praising his 6-foot-1, 202-pound frame, 4.42-second 40-yard dash time, 38-inch vertical leap, relentless competitive spirit, and proven special teams value as factors that made him a priority target in the late rounds. “Draft slot never defines a player’s long-term value,” the scouting director noted, pointing to recent late-round success stories like San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 draft who developed into an All-Pro-caliber starter, as proof that hidden gems can emerge from the final rounds.
Smith, a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, told reporters he cried with his family when he got the call from the Cowboys’ front office. He added that he is ready to put in maximum work at rookie minicamp, offseason training activities, and training camp, and is willing to take on any role from rotational defensive back to special teams contributor to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The Cowboys’ coaching staff confirmed Smith will get extended playing time in the 2026 preseason to showcase his skills and compete for a permanent roster spot.
Featured Comments
I’ve followed Smith at Ohio State for two full seasons, and this is an absolute steal for the Cowboys. Dude is a ferocious hitter who never quits on a play, and his special teams experience alone will get him on the field as a rookie. I’d put money on him outperforming half the defensive backs taken in the third and fourth rounds this year.
Such a smart low-risk, high-reward pick for Dallas. Their secondary depth was a huge question mark after free agency, and Smith fills that gap perfectly. He’s got the size and speed to fit their defensive scheme, and the work ethic to improve quickly. Don’t sleep on this kid making the 53-man roster easily.
It’s always great to see underrated players get their shot. Smith’s hamstring injury was the only reason he fell this far, when he’s healthy he’s as solid as any cornerback in this draft class. I can’t wait to see how he performs in OTAs and the preseason.
The Cowboys always kill it in the late rounds! If Smith locks down a special teams role first and works his way up the depth chart at corner, he could be a rotational contributor for this team for 5+ years. This might end up being one of the best value picks of the entire 2026 draft when we look back in a few years.