7 Cowboys Playing Their Way Out of Dallas' 2025 Plans

The losses continue to pile up for the Dallas Cowboys. Unless things change, these seven Cowboys may have already played themselves out of the franchise's 2025 plans.

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates his first down run against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images / Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

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3. Mazi Smith, DT

The 2024 NFL campaign was supposed to be a fresh start for Mazi Smith. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's arrival combined with the former Michigan product regaining some weight was supposed to lead to Smith unlocking his full potential this fall.

Instead, Smith has been invisible more often than not on the gridiron.

Although the 23-year-old has registered a career-high 11 solo tackles in seven starts, that's all he's done. He's struggled to stop opposing rushers, resulting in a 29.9 run defense grade on Pro Football Focus. Not only does his current mark rank second-worst among eligible interior defenders, but Smith's 31.8 overall defense grade is dead last at his position.

Considering how he's failed to produce under two different DCs, it's safe to say that Smith is looking like one of the Cowboys' biggest draft busts in recent years. Dallas has been one of the worst teams against the run this year and the ex-Wolverine's abysmal performance has played a major role in those struggles.

Unless the Cowboys still see something in Smith's potential that fans don't, his days in Big D could be numbered.

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