7 Cowboys Whose Jobs Aren’t Safe After Surviving Trade Deadline

In a season overflowing with disappointment, these seven Dallas Cowboys players still aren't safe despite surviving this year's NFL trade deadline.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

4 of 6

4. Mazi Smith, DT

The Cowboys' defensive line has been in disarray this season and Mazi Smith has played a role in those struggles.

A re-focused offseason combined with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's arrival was supposed to unlock Smith's potential this season. That's been anything but the case, though, as the ex-Michigan product has been one of the league's worst interior defenders with a PFF defense grade of 30.3 — dead last at his position.

Advanced stats don't always reflect well on a player, however, it isn't as if Smith has found a way to impress in the box score. The struggling 23-year-old has only registered 13 solo tackles while failing to clog holes in the middle of the field, highlighted by his 29.5 run defense grade.

The situation is even worse when you remember the Cowboys used a 2023 first-rounder to draft Smith. Even though young players aren't always perfect, it's clear that Dallas expected more from him when they called his name last year.

Continuing to fail to live up to his potential could see Smith chased out of the Lone Star State sooner rather than later.

Home/Cowboys Draft