Cowboys on the Clock returned yesterday with a name that many Cowboys fans would like to forget, 2006 first round pick Bobby Carpenter. Today, now just 17 days away from the 2016 NFL Draft, we get to take a look at a player who had a much more successful run in Dallas.
That player is Kevin Smith, who is the team’s most recent 17th overall pick. Smith was drafted in 1992, and played 8 great seasons for the Cowboys. Let’s take a closer look at his career in this edition of Cowboys on the Clock!
Kevin Smith[get_helmet team=”dal” face=”l” align=”right” size=”md”]
Smith joined the team at just the right time, as the Cowboys were in a Super Bowl drought dating back to 1977. In just his rookie season, that drought would end with a Super Bowl XXVII victory. Smith started 6 games and recorded 2 interceptions this season, getting his feet wet for what would be a stellar 1993 campaign.
Drafted out of Texas A&M, where he is now a member of their Hall of Fame, Smith jumped into a full time starting role in his second season. The young combination of Smith and Larry Brown in the secondary was a dynamic one, as Smith led the team with 6 interceptions.
Dallas won their second straight Lombardi Trophy, slowing down the high flying Bills offense for 227 passing yards in the 30-13 win.
The durable and ultra-talented Smith again started all 16 games in 1994, defending 15 passes as the team once again made the playoffs but bowed out to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Entering 1995, Smith would suffer an unexpected injury in the team’s opener against the Giants. His torn achilles caused him to start just one game, forcing the team to look at the free agent market for corner back depth.
Already in discussions with Deion Sanders, the Cowboys signed him in 1995 on their way to yet another Super Bowl. Brown and Sanders would start in the Super Bowl XXX win, as Larry Brown went on to win the game’s MVP with 2 interceptions.
Smith returned in full force for the 1996 season to pair up with Sanders for a full 16 games, bouncing back to record a career high 18 passes defended. Outside of his missed season and his rookie year, Kevin Smith led the team in passes defended every year he played in Dallas from 1992-2000.
The Cowboys would make the playoffs in all but one of Smith’s remaining seasons with the team, as he started every game in 1996 and 1997. Injuries would once again bother him at the end of his run with the Cowboys though, as he entered training camp in 1999 with a back injury that he never fully recovered from.
Three time Super Bowl champion Kevin Smith retired in 2000 during training camp, finishing with 19 interceptions for his career.
The following players have also been selected with the 17th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys:
Kevin Brooks, DT, 1985
Brooks would play three seasons in Dallas, failing to fully put things together until his last years in 1987 and 1988. In his first season as a full-time starter he led the defensive line with 67 tackles and added 3 sacks in ’87, before ending his Cowboys career in 1988 with 71 tackles and 5 sacks.
Emmitt Smith, RB, 1990
//insidethestar.com/cowboys-ctk-the-legend-of-22-from-bob-hayes-to-emmitt-smith/
Check out this amazing story on Emmitt Smith and other Cowboys to wear #22 in RJ Ochoa’s “Countdown to Kickoff” series – where Emmitt was named the greatest #22 in team history. Not only is he one of the best draft picks of all time for the Dallas Cowboys, but easily their best 17th overall pick.
Tomorrow on “Cowboys on the Clock”: 2014 first round pick Zack Martin
This series is certainly moving away from the Cowboys’ draft busts and into their all-time greats as we get that much closer to the 2016 draft! With that, feel free to discuss this series below by leaving your reply or email sean.martin@insidethestar.com.
