Is there hope for Mazi Smith after disappointing rookie year for Cowboys DT?

The Cowboys stepped outside their comfort zone when they selected Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 draft. It marked the first time since Russell Maryland in 1991 that they used a first rounder on the DT position. Based on early returns, it may be their last time.

Perhaps a total first round boycott of the position is a bit dramatic, but the frustration felt after Smith’s enormously disappointing rookie season cannot be understated.

The 6-foot-3, 337-pound tackle from Michigan was identified as an elite talent throughout the draft process. Named No. 1 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, Smith had a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. He was also fairly raw as a player since he was used in a reactionary Michigan defensive line that isn’t known to always nurture or highlight physical traits.

Smith showed explosiveness in testing but didn’t show it on tape. He had the traits to potentially be a pass-rusher, but with 0.5 career sacks, he didn’t have the proof on game film. Smith was both ultra talented and ultra raw. He was a big swing for the Cowboys in the first round because his value was almost exclusively projection.

Like most developmental projects, Smith’s career got off to a slow start. The man used predominantly as a space-eater in college was presumably asked to be more aggressive in Dallas. Smith lost a noticeable amount of weight early and was often seen working at the 3-technique DT spot rather than the 1-technique spot most scouts slotted him for.

Smith struggled in every area of the game as a rookie. He was slow off the snap, offered little to no pressure through the gaps and was even ineffective against the run. He was a liability on most plays, playing just 304 snaps on a defense starved for DT play.

It was clear patience would be required for Smith when the Cowboys first drafted him, but even patient outlooks saw the rookie fall short of expectations.

2024 outlook

Based on how Taco Charlton panned out and how Smith has started, the Cowboys don’t have a great track record with Michigan defensive linemen. The system asks for more read-and-react than Dallas DTs typically play. Re-wiring their reactionary brains takes time, and in the case of Smith, a completely new role may need to be learned.

Until the Cowboys install their new defense and set individual roles, it’s unknown what the immediate future holds for Smith. Will he be the 1-tech he projected to be as a prospect or will he mentor under Osa Odighizuwa to become a 3-tech? It’s possible the Cowboys might have a role in mind that involves a little bit of both.

Based on what he showed as a rookie, no one should expect a big role in 2024 so his immediate ceiling is rotational at best.

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Long-term outlook

Smith faces a wide range of outcomes and getting on an upward trajectory is paramount if he wants that outcome to be positive. He has all the talent in the world but that doesn’t mean much if he can hone it.

The first objective is to find a role for Smith. When he was drafted he was a one-dimensional run-stuffer with some raw penetration skills that could hopefully be developed. But after losing so much weight his only immediate skill vaporized. If the Cowboys can lean into his size, use him as a plugger and then build off of that, they could have a real player on their hands.

Maintaining a mental edge will be the challenge for Smith. As disappointing as he was to fans, his first year was likely twice as disappointing to him. The Cowboys have to get him some wins before any type of long-term projection can be made.

Story originally appeared on Cowboys Wire