Some players need more time than others to make adjustments to life in the pros. However, expectations are always high for first-round selections, and the Dallas Cowboys aren't the exception to that rule.
That's why it was fairly disappointing to see that DT Mazi Smith was a healthy scratch for the season opener. That's just two years after the Cowboys took him with the No. 26 pick out of Michigan.
Even so, while not having Smith dress up for the game was quite telling of where he is at this point in his development, head coach Brian Schottenheimer still hasn't given up on him. He just has to meet certain standards.
Brian Schottenheimer Wants Mazi Smith to be More Consistent
“I had a great conversation with Mazi, just about the consistency. Mazi is going to play a lot of really good football. He’s not even begun to reach his peak. But the consistency has not been there and therefore, if your philosophy is (to) compete every day, then that’s what you have to do, make those decisions," the first-year head coach said, per Jon Machota.
The Michigan star had played in all 34 possible career games in his first two years in the league, making 20 starts. That includes starting in all 17 games last season, but it seems like he didn't make a strong enough impression to even get some playing time in his third year in the league.
So far, Smith has logged 54 tackles (31 solo), seven tackles for loss, six QB hits, and 2.0 sacks. But with the Cowboys allowing the second-most rushing yards per game last season (137.1), defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus had to make some changes.
The Cowboys are quite thin at defensive tackle, which is why it's not much of a surprise to see them struggle against the run. Newcomer Kenny Smith should be quite helpful in that aspect, but that might still not be enough for this team to turn things around.
But unless he proves that he's worthy of a chance, he will continue to be behind Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, and even Jay Toia in the pecking order.
Still, after watching the Eagles run for 158 yards in the season opener, they might have no choice but to revisit the idea of giving their struggling first-round pick another chance. If not, they need to at least consider making another trade at some point in the season.