This time two years ago, then-Michigan Wolverine Mazi Smith was gearing up for the NFL Draft as one of the top defensive tackles available. Two years later, the Cowboys may draft a rookie to compete with, or replace Smith.
That’s simply the business of the NFL. Dallas’ 2023 first-rounder is heading into the third year of his contract, and he hasn’t shown what they hoped he would.
Despite an improvement in his sophomore campaign last year, his production still lagged. Smith started in all 17 games in 2024, compared to just three in 2023, but only made one more tackle for loss, and had the same number of sacks and quarterback hits.
We are seeing more splash plays from Mazi Smith each week. pic.twitter.com/FeOsFlDST9
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) November 25, 2024
He showed flashes of 1st-round talent at times, but at this point, you’d like to see more than flashes, and that’s why the Cowboys may consider another defensive tackle this draft.
Let’s discuss the case for Smith, as he heads into a critical 2025, and the case for a rookie in this defensive tackle debate.
The Case For Mazi Smith: Noticeable Progression
If you’re arguing in favor of another year of Mazi Smith, you have a fairly easy argument to make: he has shown progression, and it’s only his third season.
That isn’t an excuse either; we’re talking about a kid who is still just 23 years old with 20 NFL starts under his belt. Before that, Smith was a two-year starter at Michigan, so he’s only had a starting role three times since high school.
Because of this, Smith came into the league as a “raw” prospect. Everybody knew it then, which is why some criticized the pick, but now we’re shocked that he’s taken some time to be NFL-ready.
It has been a bumpy road. There is no denying that, but progress isn’t always linear, and he did take strides in 2024.
PFF's highest-graded player from Thursday Night Football:
Mazi Smith. pic.twitter.com/RgTCsnMCJA
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) September 27, 2024
The simple fact that he was a starter for 17 games last year is proof. While he did play in each game of his rookie season, he could not have competed as a starter; it would have gotten ugly really fast.
Smith has taken the jump from backup to starter, and now it’s time to see if he can elevate past that.
Can you kick a former 1st-round pick to the curb without seeing if that next jump is possible?
The Case For A Rookie: Higher Potential, Fresh Start
On the flip side, you could say that if you haven’t seen enough to be fully committed to Mazi Smith by now, he likely won’t ever have what it takes to be a top-tier starter, no matter how long you give him.
It didn’t take Micah Parsons or Osa Odighizuwa three seasons to prove themselves.
In fact, in Odighizuwa’s sophomore season, he too started 17 games, except he had eight tackles for loss as a pass-rushing defensive tackle. Smith, in that same time, finished with four, despite that being a main job of his.
The lowest-graded offensive and defense players for the #Cowboys during the 2024 season?
Their last two first-round picks (Tyler Guyton, Mazi Smith)
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 7, 2025
If the Cowboys stick with him, there’s no guarantee they will see anything more, while drafting a rookie gives you the kind of potential Smith may no longer possess.
Let’s say the team secured a wide receiver and running back in the first two rounds of this year’s draft, before turning to Texas Nose Tackle Alfred Collins in the third round. Would that not be a major boost to their overall roster?
Sure, they could go cornerback in the third instead, but the first-to-second rounds are usually the sweet spot for that position.
You can find a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in the 3rd; that’s what Dallas did in 2021 with Odighizuwa.
Drafting somebody to come in alongside Mazi Smith doesn’t rule him out, but it does give you a higher-ceiling option with a longer and cheaper contract. After all, the Philadelphia Eagles showed you can never invest too much in the trenches.