Former Ohio State running back Rod Smith wasn't a free agent in the NFL for very long. After not being re-signed by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, Smith found a new NFL home on Wednesday when he signed a contract with the New York Giants, the Cowboys' NFC East rival. The move from Dallas to the Giants is an interesting one for Smith. After serving as a backup for the previous four seasons with the Cowboys, Smith will again be in a reserve role behind New York's 2018 first-round NFL Draft pick, and reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Saquon Barkley. For three of Smith's four seasons in Dallas, he worked behind another young NFL star in former Ohio State running back, and Smith's Buckeye teammate, Ezekiel Elliott. Smith was not selected in the 2015 NFL Draft but quickly signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Smith was waived by the Seahawks in early September but signed to the practice squad the next day. Due to injuries, the running back was promoted to the active roster in early October and played in one game against the Cincinnati Bengals before he was released. Shortly after his release, the Cowboys picked up Smith off waivers, becoming the team's third-string running back. Smith played in 10 games, largely on special team, during his first season in Dallas. Smith spent time working at fullback heading into the 2016 season but again was mostly a special teams players for Dallas. The Cowboys release Smith in early November but promptly re-signed him to the practice squad. For the 2017 season, Smith moved back to running back. He entered the year as the third-string running back behind Elliott and Alfred Morris and started to see more playing time on offense, largely due to Elliott's six-game suspension. Smith scored his first career touchdown in the Thanksgiving game against the San Diego Chargers on a two-yard run. He finished the year with 55 carries for 232 yards, as well as recording 19 receptions for 202 yards and five total touchdowns. With Elliott playing in 15 games in 2018, Smith's production dropped on offense. He finished the season with 44 carries for 127 yards and one touchdown. Smith also recorded nine receptions for 60 yards and continued to be a factor for the Cowboys on special teams. What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now! Want the latest scoops and news on the Buckeyes? Try our 7-DAY FREE TRIAL AND BECOME A BUCKNUTS SUBSCRIBER! Despite having a near perfect build for a running back, Smith had an inconsistent college career at Ohio State. His best statistical year came as a sophomore in 2012 when he carried the ball 32 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns. For his Buckeye career, Smith recorded 107 carries for 549 yards and 10 total touchdowns. While a move to the Giants might not provide Smith with a significantly bigger role, it will at least allow him to compete against his former team twice per year.<doc-sep>See which players attended the Giants’ first OTA open to the media Who’s in the building, and who isn’t?<doc-sep>The Giants may have found Saquon Barkley’s new backup, and he’s a familiar face. Big Blue signed former Cowboys running back Rod Smith on Wednesday, giving them an experienced option behind Barkley. Smith spent most of his four previous NFL seasons in Dallas, and scored two touchdowns in a victory over the Giants in 2017, when he ran for 47 yards on six carries and caught five passes for 113 yards. He’ll be battling former draft picks Wayne Gallman and Paul Perkins for carries, along with Eli Penny and undrafted free agents Robert Martin and Jon Hilliman. In his four-year career, Smith, 27, has rushed for 364 yards on 101 carries and scored five touchdowns.<doc-sep>Brothers Jaylon and Rod Smith have enjoyed being Dallas Cowboys teammates since Jaylon entered the NFL in 2016. But now Rod has joined the New York Giants as a free agent, and his younger brother sent out a touching farewell message today on social media. The news broke yesterday that Rod, who has been with the Cowboys since 2015 as a backup running back, signed with the Giants. His previous contract had expired following the 2018 season. Ian Rapoport on Twitter The #Giants have signed former #Cowboys reserve RB Rod Smith, who struggled last year but averaged 4.2 yards per rush in 2017. New York has a full RB depth chart already with Saquon Barkley, Wayne Gallman, Paul Perkins, and others under contract. Perhaps they are considering Rod as a fullback, which he dabbled with briefly during his time in Dallas. Rod’s brother Jaylon, now a star linebacker for the Cowboys, is certainly rooting for him with his new team. In fact, it sounds like little brother would love a chance to plant Rod into the turf. Jaylon Smith on Twitter To have an older brother like you is one thing. To have a teammate like you was immaculate. You inspire me. I was your teammate for these past 3 years finally. Now I get chance to really smack yo ass! Lol love you big smooth! Rod is about 3.5 years older than Jaylon, so the two hadn’t had much opportunity to be teammates prior to the NFL. The Smiths have been part of two playoff teams and three winning seasons with the Cowboys during their time together. Now they remain in the same division, and if Rod makes the Giants’ roster then perhaps they will finally get a chance to play against one another. Rod had already graduated from Ohio State when the Buckeyes faced Jaylon’s Fighting Irish in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. That was the game where Jaylon suffered his career-threatening knee injury. No doubt, having his older brother so close in 2016 helped Jaylon during his rehabilitation. And if we’ve been thrilled to see his progress and development into a star these last few years, we can only imagine how Rod felt. Even though he’s now a division rival, Rod Smith gets the same fond farewell from us here at the Inside The Star for his contributions to the Cowboys since 2015.<doc-sep>
On Wednesday, the New York Giants added a familiar and now former foe to their running back depth chart in ex-Dallas Cowboy Rod Smith. Smith spent the past four seasons with the Cowboys, where he served as a back up to All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliot, who he also played behind at The Ohio State University. The 27-year-old struggled in a minimal role last year, which resulted in a mere 127 rushing yards and one touchdown on 44 carries. Despite a down 2018 campaign, Smith’s best year of his career came in 2017, where he rushed for 232 yards, to go along with four touchdowns on 55 carries. He also averaged 4.2 yards per carry and caught 19 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown. Smith is best known around Giants nation as the player, who infamously burned them for an 81 yard dagger of a touchdown catch and run in week 14 of 2017, as well. Another interesting tidbit about this play came from 2016 first round pick and ex-Giant Eli Apple, who complimented Smith’s touchdown on Twitter. Apple, who was a healthy scratch on the sideline during this game, gave a half hearted explanation for encouraging an opposing rival’s scoring play against his team. Instead of being apologetic, the defensive back merely defended himself as showing support for his former Buckeyes teammate. Not a good look. So where does Smith fit in on the Giants running back depth chart? While it can be assumed that Saquan Barkley and Wayne Gallman will receive the majority of carries, Smith will be competing for the third string spot behind them. If he makes the roster, the running back also provides an insurance option if one of these players ahead of him goes down with an injury. Smith brings several years of experience and knowledge of the game having studied behind great running backs in Elliot, Marshawn Lynch, and Carlos Hyde. There is no question the talent is there with his ability to run and catch passes out of the backfield. Although he will back up another tremendous running back in Barkley, Smith could be a more than solid third option if he is given an opportunity. With the addition of Smith, the New York Giants have waived former Rutgers running back Robert Martin. Smith will be competing for the third string spot with Jerry Reese draft pick Paul Perkins, and another Rutgers tailback in Jonathan Hilliman. Look for Dave Gettleman and the New York Giants to continue to monitor the running back market as the offseason progresses. Stay tuned for more news and analysis regarding the New York Giants backfield and all other topics!