Who is Anthony Smith? 5 things to know about the Cowboys' rookie wide receiver

East Carolina wide receiver Anthony Smith (9) runs during an NCAA football game against Tulane on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)

The Cowboys made it clear defense would be the focus of the 2026 NFL draft, but they did select a skill player with their final pick on Day 3.

Anthony Smith, a wide receiver from East Carolina, had an impressive final season of college football in 2025 before entering the draft. He totaled 65 catches for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns for the Pirates, showcasing his big play ability with 20 receptions that went for 15 or more yards.

Here are five things to know about the Cowboys' rookie wide receiver:

1. The basics

Name: Anthony Smith

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6-2 Weight: 185 pounds

College: East Carolina

Hometown: Huntington, Maryland

2. He's got speed

The Cowboys didn't want to risk Smith getting to undrafted free agency for a reason: he can turn on the jets when he needs to. The Maryland native averaged 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, and he averaged 17.1 yards per reception across two seasons with the Pirates. Smith's wheels make him a viable option anywhere on the field, whether it's at wide receiver or on special teams.

3. He joins two more ECU Pirates on the Cowboys

The Cowboys now have . Last season, Dallas selected cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the third round of the NFL draft, and in 2024, they signed safety as an undrafted free agent. Smith was teammates with Revel Jr. in his last season at ECU.