Star Evaluation: Keith Smith Maximizes Special Teams, Fullback Snaps

Feb 05, 2018 at 06:10 AM

Rob Phillips

DallasCowboys.com Senior Writer

While free agency officially begins in March, roster turnover isn't too far away. The Cowboys will indeed add and presumably release players, along with letting some go without a new contract.

However, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.

Today, we continue the series with fullback Keith Smith.

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Dallas Cowboys tight ends Jason Witten (82) and James Hanna (84) and offensive linemen La'el Collins (71), Zack Martin (70), Travis Frederick (72), Chaz Green (79) and Tyron Smith (77) line up in front of quarterback Dak Prescott (4), fullback Keith Smith (41) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during a 2017 NFL week 1 regular season game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 19-3. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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10 September 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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17 September 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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25 September 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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01 October 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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08 October 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) is tackled after a catch by Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during a 2017 NFL week 5 regular season game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL vs GB

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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22 October 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Switzer (10), Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) and Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick (72) walk into the tunnel during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (Tom Hauck via AP)

Tom Hauck/AP Images

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29 October 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs KC

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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05 November 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs KC

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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12 November 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs ATL

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs ATL

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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19 November 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL vs PHI

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL vs LAC

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL vs LAC

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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23 November 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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30 November 2017: Keith Smith (41) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 38-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)

Ryan Kang/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris (46) runs behind the block of fullback Keith Smith (41) into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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10 December 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith during an NFL football game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)

Winslow Townson/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan (center) talks with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and fullback Keith Smith (41) in a timeout huddle during a 2017 NFL week 15 regular season game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Cowboys defeated the Raiders, 20-17. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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17 December 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) runs after a catch as Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) defends during a 2017 NFL week 15 regular season game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Cowboys defeated the Raiders, 20-17. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith celebrates after running back Rod Smith scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Ben Margot/AP Images

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24 December 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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31 December 2017: Keith Smith (41)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) moves up to block Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nathan Gerry (47) during a 2017 NFL week 17 regular season game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 6-0. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys fullback Keith Smith (41) between plays during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 6-0. (Al Tielemans via AP)

Al Tielemans/AP Images

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What's Been Good:

Smith embodies what head coach Jason Garrett looks for in a player: versatile, dependable, consistent. Cut countless times in the past, the ex-linebacker finally found a steady role in 2016 with a full-time conversion to fullback. The Cowboys first tried Smith at fullback in a simulation role on the practice squad. He turned out to be a natural at the position, applying his linebacker experience in reading the defense and making lead blocks. Although he didn't have a carry in 2017, he had five catches for 26 yards and tied for second on the team with 10 special teams tackles.

What's Been Bad:

Hard to find major flaws in Smith's game, though he does have a reduced offensive role – he played only 129 of a possible 1,068 offensive snaps this past season. The Cowboys often use Ezekiel Elliott without a lead blocker but have found success with Smith in the game, particularly in short-yardage situations. However, the Cowboys are looking for more overall consistency from the offense, including the run game with Elliott and pass protection for quarterback Dak Prescott.

2017 Highlight:

Here's proof of how far Smith has come in his move to offense. With the Cowboys trailing 28-24 to the Packers last October, Smith made a critical third-and-1 conversion with a 4-yard catch at Green Bay's 40-yard line. The Cowboys would eventually score a touchdown to take the lead with 1:13 remaining, just before Aaron Rodgers stole the lead back for good. But Smith showed on that drive that he can be a reliable option for Prescott in the passing game.

What's Next:

Unless the Cowboys find more ways to get an extra tight end involved as a blocker, or unless they add some true competition at fullback – a position that's no longer a standard part of college-level offenses – Smith should continue his role on offense. Garrett still sees value in a lead blocker from his days as a teammate of Daryl "Moose" Johnston in the 1990s. And Smith is also as valuable special teams player. He played 257 of a possible 425 snaps on special teams and made an important block on the fake punt that helped keep the Cowboys' season alive at Oakland in December.

Smith is a player every roster needs.
Can do so many things for your club when you dress him on the 46-man roster for game day.
Wasn't so sure at first how he would have worked blocking in front of Ezekiel Elliott, but he has made it work.
He's underrated as a pass receiver out of the backfield and out wide, not to mention his role on special teams.

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