Say what you will about Jerry Jones but it's fair to say that he has been one of the better decision-makers in the NFL when it comes to the draft. His coaching hires, free agency moves, and contract extension decisions have been questionable at times, but he has generally done well in the NFL Draft. That doesn't mean, however, that he hasn't had big misses over the years.
One of those is the 2023 first-round selection Mazi Smith. The defensive tackle out of Michigan was drafted with the 26th overall pick by the Cowboys, but things have gone very poorly for him so far in the NFL.
Just like his rookie year, Smith played in all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2024. He started every game and played over 500 defensive snaps. In those snaps, however, he was one of the worst players at his position. Among 219 interior defensive linemen, he ranked 207th with a defensive grade of 34.8 on Pro Football Focus. His run defense was particularly poor, and he has made almost no plays, finishing the season with only one sack, three QB hits, and four tackles for loss.
As a result, the Cowboys had the second-worst defense in the league. No team allowed more rushing touchdowns and only two teams allowed more yards per carry.
While the Cowboys haven't made a big splash to address that weakness in free agency, Smith's time in Dallas may be nearing an end. The Cowboys re-signed Osa Odighizuwa and brought in Solomon Thomas from the Jets. Earnest Brown IV, who was signed towards the end of the 2024 season, remains on the roster. While Smith is expected to play a large at defensive tackle as things stand now, either Thomas or Brown could win the starting role.
Plus, there is a very good chance the Cowboys will draft a DT prospect in April. If that happens, Smith will be pushed further down the pecking order. The former Wolverine has to prove a ton during training camp to retain his role on the defensive line going forward.