Cowboys' legend Emmitt Smith joins the show to talk about Cowboys' needs in the draft and the Dak Prescott window of winning
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Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, joins Shan and RJ on The Fan to discuss the Dallas Cowboys' upcoming draft strategy and Dak Prescott's window for contention. Smith argues that while the running back position is often undervalued, it remains essential to a team's success and should be respected as a franchise cornerstone—challenging the NFL's current quarterback-centric culture. He emphasizes the need for the Cowboys to prioritize defensive upgrades in the draft, advocating for high-impact players at linebacker, defensive end, or cornerback at picks 12 and 20, rather than reaching for running backs like Jeremiah Love unless they're truly needed. Smith also defends Dak Prescott, asserting that his performance was hindered by a poor defense, not his own shortcomings, and believes Prescott can remain a winning quarterback as long as he stays healthy. Beyond football, Smith discusses his work with the Ready to Rescue campaign, promoting opioid overdose awareness and the use of Narcan nasal spray, stressing that the epidemic affects all ages and that everyone should be prepared to save a life. His message blends football wisdom with civic responsibility, underscoring the importance of mindset, preparation, and service.
Prioritize defensive talent in the draft—especially at linebacker, defensive end, or cornerback—over positional reach for running backs.
Dak Prescott’s window to win remains open as long as he stays healthy, regardless of past playoff failures.
The running back position is undervalued but remains critical; respect and franchise status should reflect actual impact, not just media narrative.
The Cowboys' defense must improve by at least 20% to make the playoffs and compete in the postseason.
Opioid overdoses affect all age groups—everyone should carry Narcan and know the 'lay, spray, stay' method to save lives.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Emmitt Smith on NFL Legacy and the Running Back Record
Smith reflects on being the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, emphasizing the uniqueness of holding a singular individual record, while acknowledging other legends like Jordan, Ripken, and Woods. He expresses belief that such records can be broken, citing Derrick Henry as a potential candidate.
The Myth of Player Care and the Reality of the Game
“They don't give a darn about someone else's career because athletes are a dime a dozen and we come and go left and right.”
The Running Back Position: Undervalued but Essential
“You can have the best running back in the backfield and a sorry quarterback, and he's still your franchise player. And you're going to pay him like he's a franchise player, which is absolutely absurd to me.”
Evaluating Quarterbacks: Decision-Making Over Talent
“I look at the decision-making tree. How is he finding the man-to-man matchup? Then let's go to the skill set. Is he accurate with the passes, and is there enough velocity on the ball to get it there?”
Cowboys Draft Strategy and Dak Prescott’s Window
“If you see the Cowboys' defense get back to some level of consistency and dominance, 20% of what they were last year. This team could have been in the playoff.”
“You can have the best running back in the backfield and a sorry quarterback, and he's still your franchise player. And you're going to pay him like he's a franchise player, which is absolutely absurd to me.”
“If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”
“They don't give a darn about someone else's career because athletes are a dime a dozen and we come and go left and right.”
Hosts
Guest
Emmitt Smith
person
Dallas Cowboys
organization
Dak Prescott
person
Troy Aikman
person
Miami Dolphins
organization
Ready to Rescue
organization
Jeremiah Love
person
Narcan
product
Shadrick Sanders
person
Lamar Jackson
person
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