FRISCO, TEXAS — The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is just weeks away, and the Dallas Cowboys are hunting for physical backfield depth. They recently brought in Texas A&M running back EJ Smith for a private workout at The Star. The son of Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith brings a punishing, downhill style to the turf, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer liked exactly what he saw.
Building a Bruising Backfield
The crisp spring air inside the practice facility crackled with a distinct nostalgia yesterday. You could almost feel the excitement as front-office executives lined the field to watch a familiar name move through agility drills. But EJ Smith is not coasting on his father’s legacy. He carved out his own gritty reputation at Texas A&M. During the Aggies’ historic 2025 run to the College Football Playoff, Smith sacrificed his body. He delivered crushing blocks. He fought for the hard yards.
Dallas struggled to generate consistent push behind starter Javonte Williams in 2025. Adding a reliable, hard-nosed back is an absolute priority. Smith averaged over 4.0 yards per carry during his collegiate career and proved he can be a reliable asset in pass protection. He isn’t the flashiest player in this draft class, but his vision and toughness make him a highly effective short-yardage weapon.
“Very cool. You know me, man, I’m family. I’m all family. And you watch his film and he was an incredible short-yardage runner, powerful. But, yeah, just watching him move, seeing him in person, the type of young man he is, it’s cool.”
— Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Head Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Dallas owns nine picks heading into Pittsburgh later this month. The front office must address a defense that bled points throughout the 2025 season, but the best way to protect a struggling defense is to control the clock. A relentless running game keeps high-powered opposing offenses resting on the bench.
If the Cowboys secure Smith in the late rounds—or target him aggressively as a priority undrafted free agent—he instantly bolsters their special teams and third-down packages. Schottenheimer wants a tough, physical football team. Bringing in a player who actively seeks out contact is the first step toward building a roster that can survive the brutal January cold.
