The Dallas Cowboys are looking to turn things around after a disappointing 2024 season. They changed coaches in the offseason, naming Brian Schottenheimer the new head coach. The Cowboys also brought in some new faces via free agency, the NFL draft, and trade.
The hope is that those new players will bring better results this season. However, Dallas cannot depend on those guys to shoulder the load, as players who have been on the team for a couple of years now need to step up.
One of those players in the step-up category is former first-round pick Mazi Smith. Smith hasn’t lived up to expectations of a first-round guy throughout the first two years in the NFL. That said, the Cowboys hope that new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus can get him to take that next step.
However, Smith hasn’t gotten off to a strong start in the preseason, which isn’t good for a former first-round pick.
Mazi Smith had no tackles vs. Rams, half a tackle against Ravens (28 snaps).
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 17, 2025
Cowboys DT Mazi Smith Struggles to Make Impact in 2nd Preseason Game
On Saturday, the Cowboys took on the Baltimore Ravens in their second preseason game. The Cowboys lost 31-13, but we know the scoreboard isn’t important. Execution, effort, and making plays are the keys.
Smith didn’t do any of that, as he recorded a half tackle in 28 snaps against the Ravens, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
It was a slight improvement from Week 1, where Smith had zero tackles. However, Cowboys fans weren’t pleased as they knew he could play a huge role on the defensive line. After the Cowboys’ first preseason game, Smith called himself out for his performance, or lack thereof (h/t Patrik Walker).
"I just have to keep getting better. The first [preseason game], I wasn’t happy with at all, to be honest. I didn’t do anything. I just need to keep learning the scheme and keep getting off the ball.Mazi Smith
I just didn’t do anything, you know? Like, you gotta do something. I’m a first-round pick. There’s expectations, and all that. This is my third year."
Smith knows the sense of urgency around him heading into Year 3. There’s still time for him to figure it out. But he needs to do it quickly. Last season was a good first step as he started in all 17 games after only three as a rookie.
However, the production needs to improve in 2025. The Cowboys aren’t expecting him to be a sack artist. Nonetheless, if Smith can create pressure and also help stop the run, which was an issue in 2024, that will help Dallas.
Week 1 of the regular season is weeks away, and the Cowboys hope that Smith improves quickly, as the pressure is on this franchise in 2025.