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

[Carter]

I for one thank the good football gods that we didn't draft a TE. I like Ferguson and Hendershot and they, together, make a great TE. Our TE room is good.

Also still not out of the window that LaPorta makes it to 58 or Kroft in the third.

 

[jsb357]

This was Taco/TJ Watt all over again.

To be fair Taco did have more Twitter followers...

 

[phildadon86]

I can understand your hesitation, but the more one looks at Mazi Smith's tapes, plus his strength, quickness and aggressiveness, he could be a steal. His size, combine results and college play is similar to DaRon Payne's. He could be a huge difference maker for our Defense.

Dont bother. You're talking to a guy who said Parsons was a bad pick lol. He blocked me so he cant see this. He got upset at a few of us for constantly calling him out for his horrible player assessments

 

[G2]

First Russel Maryland and now this?

 

[thunderpimp91]

This may be a terrible suggestion, but I really wonder if Mazi can play some early down 3T in this defense? It would be an opportunity to get both him and Hankins on the field aside from goalline situations. When we talk about run support up the middle I really think the biggest issue with this team was the lack of size from our 3Ts. Osa I like a lot, but he's more of a pure gap shooter that will thrive as a pass rush specialist....similar with Golston. These guys can get exposed in the run game a little bit by being overly aggressive and opening up running lanes.

Mazi seems to be athletic enough to pull it off, and being able to put that much size on the outside of a G can create problems for offenses. I really like the idea of Mazi and Tank on the same side of the LOS if Mazi can pull it off. Both plus run defenders that offenses will be forced to pick one to beat 1V1 or overload to one side. If they do elect to overload that reduces the chances of cut back lanes on the back side which absolutely killed the Cowboys in 2022.

 

[Diehardblues]

Interesting we had Mazi sledded for the 58th pick in 2nd round according to Mock from Bloggintheboys . How did he move up our board?

 

[32BellyOption]

Someone had mentioned KC wanted to trade up and select Mazi. Where did that info come from?

 

[DallasBlockersClub]

I loved this pick. Solid A. BPA and need came together at same time. A run stuffing nose changes the dynamic of this defense entirely.

 

[Diehardblues]

Someone had mentioned KC wanted to trade up and select Mazi. Where did that info come from?

I’d like to hear more about this cause most Mocks had us selecting Mazi in 2nd round at #58.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Someone had mentioned KC wanted to trade up and select Mazi. Where did that info come from?

Local Dallas beat guys….

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I’d like to hear more about this cause most Mocks had us selecting Mazi in 2nd round at #58.

Well one thing is evident is the Cowboys board is nothing like the public’s. They have LaPorta as the best tight end on their board and had Mazi rated as their 13th best.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I’d like to hear more about this cause most Mocks had us selecting Mazi in 2nd round at #58.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...de-with-cowboys-to-get-mazi-smith/ar-AA1asu7X

Sounds like some speculation, however, it looks like their was a connection between Mazi and KC pre draft. Plus the story of the Cowboys entertaining a trade back but changing their minds adds up. It's one of those that I would say is probably true, but we will never know for sure.

 

[32BellyOption]

Local Dallas beat guys….

I’d like to see a quote as if so it’s likely the reason we picked him at 26.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

No problem with the pick, DT was certainly a need and he's certainly a top prospect.

Only thing I would say is that for all the fans who've been screaming for the "big, fat run stuffer in the middle", you got your wish.

If Dallas' mediocre run defense is truly as big a problem as those same fans think, we'll see what happens now that (assuming Smith doesn't get hurt a lot and plays substantially) the "problem" has been fixed....

 

[Texas_Pete]

 

[phildadon86]

This makes Parsons life so much easier.

 

[jsb357]

Someone had mentioned KC wanted to trade up and select Mazi. Where did that info come from?

CBS (for what that's worth) had him ranked at 50

 

[Diehardblues]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...de-with-cowboys-to-get-mazi-smith/ar-AA1asu7X

Sounds like some speculation, however, it looks like their was a connection between Mazi and KC pre draft. Plus the story of the Cowboys entertaining a trade back but changing their minds adds up. It's one of those that I would say is probably true, but we will never know for sure.

Sounds like we didn’t get who we wanted at #26 so rather than missing who we wanted at #58 we went ahead and took him.

 

[Pantera_Cowboy69]

Reach. Offense needs help.

Dude. I guess you love watching teams run all over us. LOLOLOL

 

[McMicah]

After sitting on this, I get it

Here’s how I think they see Mazi. He’s big enough to lead a jumbo defense package but athletic enough to develop into a formidable backfield threat. To me, that means on 1st down we might see him and Hankins to keep LBs clean. On 2nd, we would see him and Osa. 3rd and short, he stays in there. 3rd and long you bring in the pass rusher package, which he may someday be good enough to be a part of. I think that translatable utility from down to down is why he has tremendous value.