Dallas Cowboys have undrafted steal in WR Brandon Smith
The Dallas Cowboys had a very defensive-heavy 2021 NFL Draft class. Dallas spent five picks in the first three rounds on defense and managed to get one of the top steals on day three in former LSU linebacker Jabril Cox.
Although the Cowboys’ draft was heavy on the defensive side, they managed to get some good value on offense during and after the Draft. One of those top values after the draft was former Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Brandon Smith, a player with big-play potential who didn’t get to show it as often as he maybe could have.
In the last three seasons with the Hawkeyes, Smith essentially put together one season’s worth of work, statistically anyway. He caught 91 passes for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns. His touchdown every 10 receptions felt like exactly that with the Hawkeyes as Smith was always a threat to score when the ball went his way.
At 6-foot-1, 218 pounds, Smith has a pretty rare frame for the wide receiver position and rare explosiveness to go along with it.
Brandon Smith is a WR prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 9.16 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 210 out of 2499 WR from 1987 to 2021. https://t.co/vMoRdgkO9r #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/c9LmOcVUvD
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 7, 2021
In addition to having a big, strong frame, Smith has unique length for the position with a wingspan of 81.5 inches and arm length of 34 1/4 inchces. Those are the kinds of numbers you like to see for a 6-foot-6 offensive lineman.
Smith may not have great long speed, but his strength and explosiveness will be translatable traits at the next level.
Sometimes the more difficult the catch, the more likely it seemed Smith was going to come down with it.
Smith has such a confidence at the catch point and with his leaping ability and length, why not?
The Dallas Cowboys have a pretty solidified hierarchy among their top three wide receivers at this point with Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup, and they drafted Simi Fehoko in the fifth round.
Even with those guys on the roster, Smith could carve out a spot for himself if he can prove his worth on special teams and put some of those highlight-reel types of catches on tape in training camp and preseason play.
A very high percentage of Smith’s touchdowns came in red zone work, and he undoubtedly adds value there.
The Dallas Cowboys got themselves a really good one here if they’re willing to be patient as he continues to learn the nuances of the position and catches up to the speed of the NFL game.