One Pirate is ready to sail a long way from the coast.
East Carolina wide receiver Anthony Smith found a new home in Arlington, TX as the 218th overall selection by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft. Smith was the second pick of the seventh round on Saturday, becoming the second player drafted out of the American Conference.
Smith is the first Pirate drafted since former teammate and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. was selected by the Cowboys in the 2025 draft. Three of ECU’s last six NFL draft picks
(also including former wide receiver Dwayne Harris) launched their careers in Dallas.
Smith established himself as one of the conference’s premier deep threat receivers. He averaged 17.8 yards per reception across a 6-year college career, and 13 of his 16 touchdown receptions stemmed from at least 30 yards out. The receiver spent four years at NC State as a reserve receiver, but his escalation into a star commenced when he transferred to in-state rival East Carolina for the 2024 season.
In 2024, Smith accrued team-highs of 41 receptions and 799 receiving yards, contributing six touchdowns for an 8-5 Pirates team. In 2025, the receiver witnessed across-the-board improvements, adding 64 receptions, 1,053 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns to his résumé. Smith saved his best work for last. A severely shorthanded East Carolina offense entered the 2025 Military Bowl as two-touchdown underdogs, but the receiver ensured the Pirates would leave with hardware. He produced 156 receiving yards and two touchdowns in an MVP performance, leading a 23-17 upset victory with scores from 47 and 72 yards out.
The First Team All-American Conference receiver was an NFL Combine snub, but the Pirate impressed scouts with a strong showing at Pro Day. The 6’2” receiver showcased his blend of size and speed, clocking in at 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash while grading well in the vertical and broad jump categories.
Smith joins a Dallas Cowboys receiving corps looking for a third receiver to support stars George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, which finished third and 11th, respectively, in receiving yards a season ago. The Cowboys’ receiving room also consists of Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Parris Campbell, and Traeshon Holden, and Smith will compete with those names for playing time as a rookie.
ECU now owns a 2-year streak of producing a draft selection under head coach Blake Harrell. Smith also continues the Pirates’ trend of sending receivers to the next level. Of ECU’s last six NFL draftees, four of them played wide receiver, including the newest Dallas Cowboy.
