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

[CATCH17]

I think Mazi Smith walks in as the 2nd best run stuffer on the team. We need run defense badly. It's the glaring weakness of our team. How can you be mad that we addressed that?

Because stopping the run really doesn’t matter.

Explosive plays are all that matters. Not run stuffing.

With premium picks we need big play players.

This pick did squat for us.

 

[Romo_To_Dez]

105.3 is reporting that Kansas City was trying to trade up for Smith when we were on the clock.

You mean a team who just won the Super Bowl and who has Andy Reid as their coach saw enough value in Smith that they wanted to trade up. Yet there are Cowboys fans already calling the pick "terrible" and giving up on him before they even see him play.

 

[Robbieac]

No I want guys the impact the pass game with premium picks.

Not run stuffers lol.

This is just common sense.

Dallas didn’t get better today sadly.

So are you saying that Dallas got worse today?

Our run defense has been absolute garbage.
Remember the last few years of playoff games?
We just spent a high pick on a premium run defender who has elite talent and a high ceiling as a potential pash rusher. How are we not improved?

 

[Proof]

Is Mazi going to play outside linebacker and completely change his position like Parsons?

What Parsons put on tape in college didn’t match with what he turned into starting with the Chargers game his rookie year.

so hypothetically could mazi provide more than 2 down run stuffing? could the cowboys fo yet again outfox you by seeing something you didn’t?

 

[Knotamus]

If Micah is hyped this much I love the pick

This! For all the folks that are hating the Mazi pick.. read this again.

We needed to stop the run. For years I’ve been hearing that Dal doesn’t do anything about it.. THEY JUST DID.

For once in your life. Be Happy..Micah is.

 

[RandyOh]

I still remember the hate for the Martin and Frederick picks.

I think it’s solid and a need. Happy to give the benefit of the doubt.

Dont forget about the hate for the Tyler Smith pick too

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

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

Pro comparison….Vita Vea….well damn.

 

[817Gill]

105.3 is reporting that Kansas City was trying to trade up for Smith when we were on the clock.

They are excellent when it comes to scouting interior DL. That makes me happy, Spags has always had an eye for them.

 

[kevm3]

All we heard was how “athletic” Hill was for a big guy. Good times.

Hill was a Marinelli reach and we all knew that, especially when he had to sign a contract to work hard. Taco didn't look good on tape at all.

This Mazi kid has great athleticism and actually has the size for the position and we don't hear any work ethic problems with him. The fact that Micah and Quinn cosign him makes me feel positive about this pick.

 

[Kwyn]

Mazi just said “my mom said I came out of the womb with muscles. I’ve been strong my whole life”.

 

[CATCH17]

So are you saying that Dallas got worse today?

Our run defense has been absolute garbage.
Remember the last few years of playoff games?
We just spent a high pick on a premium run defender who has elite talent and a high ceiling as a potential pash rusher. How are we not improved?

I just think the league is in a state where you don’t need to spend premium picks on players like this.

You play high powered offense and he may not even be on the field or they’ll go hurry up to keep him on the field.

2 down player in round 1? Yuck.

 

[Teague31]

Physical tools are all there. Whats his football character like?

Team Captain

 

[sbark]

When Jimmie Johnson traded up to top spot for Rocket Ishmail, but he left for USFL

He took Russel Maryland, saying he will be a 10 Year NFl player, with a few ProBowls and be worth top pik.

See that here. A 10 yr NFL Pro at least.

 

[RS12]

Physical tools are all there. Whats his football character like?

We shall see but was reading last couple days if he was used differently than Michigan you could unleash a beast. Not sure I am buying that because I consider Harbaugh one of the better coaches in CFB.

 

[CATCH17]

so hypothetically could mazi provide more than 2 down run stuffing? could the cowboys fo yet again outfox you by seeing something you didn’t?

I need to watch more tbh. I don’t see a pass rusher so far or a guy that collapses the pocket.

 

[sureletsrace]

Because stopping the run really doesn’t matter.

Explosive plays are all that matters. Not run stuffing.

With premium picks we need big play players.

This pick did squat for us.

Did you watch games last year? We got absolutely bull-on-matador gored up in the run, it would have been historically bad if we didn't have Bohanna and Lawrence. We need run defense help. It's literally the worst part of the team except our kicking game lol.

 

[Verdict]

Pro comparison….Vita Vea….well damn.

I’m thinking more like Tomlinson. But that’s still an addition to run stuffing.

 

[zrinkill]

Because stopping the run really doesn’t matter.

Explosive plays are all that matters. Not run stuffing.

With premium picks we need big play players.

This pick did squat for us.

Catch ....... I am sorry dude ....... but I just cannot understand this take.

The guy literally fixes the Defenses biggest flaw.

I know its not sexy but come on.

 

[HungryLion]

Because stopping the run really doesn’t matter.

Explosive plays are all that matters. Not run stuffing.

With premium picks we need big play players.

This pick did squat for us.

I tend to view it a little differently. Mazi himself won’t make a ton of splash plays. But when guys like parsons, Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, etc don’t have to worry about covering a gaping hole in the middle on 1st and 2nd down
And they aren’t getting double teamed because Mazi is eating up blocks. It frees them up to focus on getting upfield and making splash plays, tackles for loss, sacks, etc.

So Mazi won’t make the splash plays himself but he will allow others to make more. That’s where his value will shine.

 

[Playmaker3128]

We were 22nd against the run last year. We play teams like Philly and SF In the NFC. Mobile qbs also killed us with that read option BS. Cause we had no interior run presence.

This guy helps complete the defense. We go from not having any run stuffers to having two on the team.