2. Mazi Smith, DT
Mazi Smith entered the 2024 season looking to rebound following a disastrous rookie campaign. The hope was that former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's arrival, combined with Smith regaining some weight, would help the former 2023 first-rounder reach his potential.
After playing in a backup role in Year 1, Smith started in all 17 of his appearances last season. The ex-Michigan Wolverine looked like a better player, registering 22 solo tackles and a sack while playing 526 defensive snaps compared to 304 as a rookie.
Although his effort was a step in the right direction for the most part, Smith's performance wasn't flawless. The 6-foot-3, 337-pound defensive tackle struggled to stop the run and apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, resulting in the 11th-worst run defense grade (35.9) and fifth-worst pass rush grade (49.6) among eligible interior defenders on Pro Football Focus.
It isn't hard to see how Smith's struggles played a role in the Cowboys' finishing with the third-worst run defense grade (48.5) in the NFL.
It wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys signed veteran DTs to provide Smith with some offseason competition. If he doesn't step up and prove why the team was right to draft him with a first-round pick, it's going to be tough labeling him as anything but a bust.