Drafted by Cowboys 1st Round - Pick 26 - DT Mazi Smith - (Michigan)

[cowboys5xsbs]

KC wanted him

Our armchair gms think they are smarter than mcclay and the kc gm

 

[Direwolf63]

Good LORD did he look putrid vs TCU...just owned all over the field. Stopped watching about 7 minutes in.

It was ugly

 

[reddyuta]

That was very unimpressive. TCU ate him up and spit him out

michigan players are not coached well.for a NT he is playing way too high,he needs play with leverage but he plays high and gets tossed around by a guard.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

DT MAZI SMITH MICHIGAN​

Height: 6-3, Weight: 323
Smith is another one of my favorite players. He’s a power player who can hold up against the run, but I think he will be a better pass rusher than people expect. He just needs to keep his weight in check. (Pete Prisco)

A​

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 84.13 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Vita Vea

Accolades:

• 2022: Consensus first-team All-Big Ten
• 2022: Michigan Defensive Player of the Year

Summary:

Mazi Smith is one of the most athletic NTs to enter the NFL in a while. Not compact, but tall and wide. His flashes of pass-rush ability are outstanding; push-pull, arm over, straight bull rush all very solid, although he's not a bulldozer pushing the pocket. His leverage isn't great. He does adequate planting roots against doubles teams, but it's not a specialty. His run-stopping is mostly contingent upon him using his athleticism to get to the ball. He's not a tremendous block-shedder right now. However, he tracks down RBs very well for being a large NT. He won't be an every-down player in the NFL, but his physical profile and pass-rushing refinement make him a fun NT prospect.

Strengths:

• Tall, thick frame; unique for the NT spot
• Veteran-caliber pass-rush moves to win up the field
• Has the athleticism to get to RBs in close quarters, and has a large tackling radius

Weaknesses:

• Could get a tick stronger
• Leverage is very high for an inside rusher, which saps his power
• Not a tremendous block-shedder

Combine Results:

• Bench Press: 34 reps

I love it. We have needed a NT for a long time. Now we have one. Well done Jerry! The defence is built.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Dont forget about the hate for the Tyler Smith pick too

I hated the Smith pick, so that is a good sign

I also hated picking Tyron in 2011, Frederick in 2013, Martin in 2014 and I was happy with the Taco pick. I was neutral on LVE and Jones.

So there is a very good chance I am wrong about this pick

 

[Playmaker3128]

At worst he’s a run stuffer who can contribute. But who knows maybe there is more.

Well that’s kinda what the draft is about isn’t it? Taking a guy and seeing the potential. Getting the most out of him. If Quinn… parsons and Mclay believe it then who am I to argue.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

FINALLY.



FINALLLLLLLLLLY


He is an athleticism freak who has some technique issues to clean up.

With DQ coaching him. He could be an absolute STUD

Exactly, and this defence is ready to roll now. I can't think of a glaring weakness left on that side of the ball. Maybe another CB? The onus is now squarely on the offense. As long as they don't do anything stupid during games, I think the team is just about built.

 

[HungryLion]

At worst he’s a run stuffer who can contribute. But who knows maybe there is more.

Well that’s kinda what the draft is about isn’t it? Taking a guy and seeing the potential. Getting the most out of him. If Quinn… parsons and Mclay believe it then who am I to argue.

Correct. If there weren’t questions about his game and improvements he needed to make. He wouldn’t be there with the 26th pick. Every guy at that spot has some holes to their game.

 

[HungryLion]

Exactly, and this defence is ready to roll now. I can't think of a glaring weakness left on that side of the ball. Maybe another CB? The onus is now squarely on the offense. As long as they don't do anything stupid during games, I think the team is just about built.

The only issue I see is LB depth.

 

[Direwolf63]

michigan players are not coached well.for a NT he is playing way too high,he needs play with leverage but he plays high and gets tossed around by a guard.

Based on that tape he needs a lot of coaching before we get any production from him.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Who the defensive lineman is doesn't matter when your quarterback throws two interceptions per game. And a consensus top 10 qb pick doesn't fall to 26 a lot. This gives me bad Aaron Rodgers flashbacks. People thought he was cocky, too.

In fairness, so did Brady Quinn.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

The only issue I see is LB depth.

I think there's one from UT who should be available round 4. Overshawn I think is his name.

 

[Knotamus]

Mazi will have stout competition at DT.

Issac Alarcon won’t hand him his spot. He’ll have to earn it!

 

[805BoysInBlue]

Correct. If there weren’t questions about his game and improvements he needed to make. He wouldn’t be there with the 26th pick. Every guy at that spot has some holes to their game.

Great point brother

 

[HungryLion]

I think there's one from UT who should be available round 4. Overshawn I think is his name.

Oh yeah. They’ll take an LB in the 4th or 5th round. Like clock work. They love taking LB there.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Cowboys are full of pass rushers. You want to improve the pass rush, which is already elite? Stop the run, get more 3rd and longs. Love the pick stop reading your draft boards

Exactly, when this defence has 3rd and 5+ to work with, it was one of the best in the league. Shutting down the run will help us have more of that. That leads to short fields.

 

[Direwolf63]

Exactly, and this defence is ready to roll now. I can't think of a glaring weakness left on that side of the ball. Maybe another CB? The onus is now squarely on the offense. As long as they don't do anything stupid during games, I think the team is just about built.

I don't think anyone can say the DT problem has been solved after you watch that TCU tape of him. He needs a lot of work

 

[reddyuta]

Based on that tape he needs a lot of coaching before we get any production from him.

definetly.he is strong but everything else is a mess.not sure he will see enough snaps in year 1.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Oh yeah. They’ll take an LB in the 4th or 5th round. Like clock work. They love taking LB there.

Exactly, so I'm not too worried about LB depth. I think round 2/3 should be when we see oline help coming, along with RB. Perhaps Archane?

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I don't think anyone can say the DT problem has been solved after you watch that TCU tape of him. He needs a lot of work

Perhaps, but he's got Quinn and Hankins to help. Parsons and Quinn want him, so I'm thrilled.