Once considered a top-five draft pick, Dallas Cowboys linebacker is now getting paid like it after agreeing to a long-term extension.
Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Media broke the news on this Tuesday afternoon.
Smith ended up falling to Dallas in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft after suffering a catastrophic knee injury in his final college game at Notre Dame.
After taking his rookie season off, he began to round into shape during the 2017 season. Then last year, Smith emerged as a star for Dallas’ front seven. He racked up 121 tackles and four sacks, showing rare speed and athleticism at the linebacker position.
Prior to this long-term extension, Smith was set to enter the final year of his rookie deal. Now, he’s set up financially for years to come and can focus solely on the business of making plays for the Cowboys.