20 Questions: No. 11, what impact will Mazi make in 2023

[jazzcat22]

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/11-what-impact-will-mazi-smith-make-in-2023

Another question we discussed a lot. But here is the motherships writers takes.


Mickey Spagnola: Not to be too cute here, but a "huge" one. Just his presence on the field to start, taking up space will be a plus. So, for starters this wide body, and not sloppy wide, but really strong will help hold down the middle of the line against the run. Should have seen what it looked like during one offseason practices when Mazi and Johnathan Hankins were lined up together at defensive tackle. That's a wide load. Plus, DC Dan Quinn thinks when lined up properly, not just to stop the run, that Mazi has some natural agility to present a threat rushing the quarterback. Can't wait to see him in pads.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

He can be a difference maker if he's able to penetrate and rush the passer. If he's just a plugger, very little.

 

[Bullflop]

Right now at this time, I can honestly say I'm intrigued by Mazi's size and strength. That's always a good sign to start with as a DT candidate. The fact that he comes from an exceptional college that is well known for producing players of high caliber is encouraging. Let's hope the weeks to come prove him a worthy talent to be chosen as our 1st round pick. I like the fact that he's such a physical specimen to start with. That's what we have needed at our DT spot for quite some time. I see that as a promising starting point as a run stopper. Talent as a pass rusher would surely be a bonus.

 

[nalam]

I think if he can bring similar impact to our run D, like Hankins did last year. , we will be fine.

last years D was good against run in the later half season games initially ( when hankins played) but wore down later. If we can mix and match and thorough out the game stuff run and make teams necessity to pass ( offense needs to put some points) then with our pass rush we can cause teams to get into situations which could be favorable for boys.

 

[DFWJC]

I think he might make the all-rookie team
shoot me, I said it

 

[CCBoy]

I really don't want to be on the other side and measuring impacts...

 

[CCBoy]

Right now at this time, I can honestly say I'm intrigued by Mazi's size and strength. That's always a good sign to start with as a DT candidate. The fact that he comes from an exceptional college that is well known for producing players of high caliber is encouraging. Let's hope the weeks to come prove him a worthy talent to be chosen as our 1st round pick. I like the fact that he's such a physical specimen to start with. That's what we have needed at our DT spot for quite some time. I see that as a promising starting point as a run stopper. Talent as a pass rusher would surely be a bonus.

My question is will his physical levels reach the level of Larry Allen?

 

[CCBoy]

Mickey Spagnola: Not to be too cute here, but a "huge" one. Just his presence on the field to start, taking up space will be a plus. So, for starters this wide body, and not sloppy wide, but really strong will help hold down the middle of the line against the run. Should have seen what it looked like during one offseason practices when Mazi and Johnathan Hankins were lined up together at defensive tackle. That's a wide load. Plus, DC Dan Quinn thinks when lined up properly, not just to stop the run, that Mazi has some natural agility to present a threat rushing the quarterback. Can't wait to see him in pads.

Nick Harris: More often than not, first round picks make large contributions in year one and I don't expect Mazi Smith to be an exception to that trend. The run game will be Smith's most immediate impact as it'll be his earliest opportunity to cement himself as the starter going into week one. The defensive staff also has optimism in his pass rush ability, and if they can unlock that out of him as early as this season, then the Cowboys will have not only unlocked a huge impact in the defensive interior, but they also will have unlocked arguably the most complete defensive line group in the league.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/11-what-impact-will-mazi-smith-make-in-2023

 

[CCBoy]

My question is will his physical levels reach the level of Larry Allen?

His size is already an advantage against the size of most interior linemen, now.

 

[dreameaglegreen]

He can be a difference maker if he's able to penetrate and rush the passer. If he's just a plugger, very little.

I Disagree, eagles had 29 sacks the year before they got jordan davis. Jordan davis didn't put up great stats himself, but graham, sweat, reddick, hargrave all had career years and cox had one of his best years with 7 sacks. Mazi dosen't have to get the sacks himself. If he can take on 2 blockers and let the others eat, that would make him a difference maker.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I've said this before on here... show me a run-stuffing NT you like, and I'll show you a guy who didn't put it together until at least year 3.

Vita Vea
Derrick Brown
Dexter Lawrence
Daron Payne
DJ Reader
Christian Wilkins

The most important thing with all of those guys is that they showed signs of life early on. They all started off playing OK, just not up to 1st round level expectations. Then somewhere around year 3 or 4, the NFL squats 'n' oats kicked in, and they start bulldozing guards again.

The biggest thing I want to see from Mazi is signs of life. Hold down some double teams, slip past some guards. It doesn't even have to be consistent, just show us that you have the potential do it.

If Mazi plays at a Hankins level this year, I'd call that a win and positive sign for his long-term trajectory. If he's a Taco type blocking dummy out there, that's when I would pull the alarm.

 

[Jimbo123]

I think he might make the all-rookie team
shoot me, I said it

He would probably have to beat out Jalen Carter to make the All-Rookie team. No likely

 

[805BoysInBlue]

I think he'll have a impact similar to Hankins last year. In the future I think he'll have a Jay Ratliff like impact to be honest. This guy's built different and I think a focus in just getting himself ready for a NFL season compared to a draft will yield huge results.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

I've said this before on here... show me a run-stuffing NT you like, and I'll show you a guy who didn't put it together until at least year 3.

Vita Vea
Derrick Brown
Dexter Lawrence
Daron Payne
DJ Reader
Christian Wilkins

The most important thing with all of those guys is that they showed signs of life early on. They all started off playing OK, just not up to 1st round level expectations. Then somewhere around year 3 or 4, the NFL squats 'n' oats kicked in, and they start bulldozing guards again.

The biggest thing I want to see from Mazi is signs of life. Hold down some double teams, slip past some guards. It doesn't even have to be consistent, just show us that you have the potential do it.

If Mazi plays at a Hankins level this year, I'd call that a win and positive sign for his long-term trajectory. If he's a Taco type blocking dummy out there, that's when I would pull the alarm.

I hadn't even read your reply when I wrote mine, but I agree 100%! I think he plays like Hankins this year and going forward he puts it together. He has the right coaches and I think he has the physical traits to be a beast

 

[Techsass]

Not sure how DQ will use Mazi, but I think he will get him moving in the right direction. A lot of DTs aren't big stat guys, but definitely help their team.

I'm optimistic that Mazi will turn out to be a good pick, but he might not make a lot of national headline plays right out of the gate.

 

[CowboyoWales]

He can be a difference maker if he's able to penetrate and rush the passer. If he's just a plugger, very little.

Didnt Hankins stats show that we did better against the run when a plugger was on the field? If that's the case we've got two pluggers on the run game....not worried about pass-rush, he'll be there to double team or make gaps for passing lanes.

 

[Hadenough]

Finally an athletic DT with size that isn't just some big fat guy. This what Dallas needed. He will probably be in a rotation but he is the type of guy who is not going to wear down at the end of games. He may not make a noticable impact in his stats but his presence will make the other guys around him better. His athletic ability will enable him to push the pocket when rushing the QB.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Didnt Hankins stats show that we did better against the run when a plugger was on the field? If that's the case we've got two pluggers on the run game....not worried about pass-rush, he'll be there to double team or make gaps for passing lanes.

He didn't play enough games for that to matter.

The run defense was good last year anyways outside of 2-3 games.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

I Disagree, eagles had 29 sacks the year before they got jordan davis. Jordan davis didn't put up great stats himself, but graham, sweat, reddick, hargrave all had career years and cox had one of his best years with 7 sacks. Mazi dosen't have to get the sacks himself. If he can take on 2 blockers and let the others eat, that would make him a difference maker.

Jordan Davis hardly even played and certainly wasn't on the field in rush situations. He played in 13 games and only 26% of total snaps. Total non-factor. These players do not eat up two blockers in passrush sets.

Hargreave was their only DT who matterred last year.

 

[CowboyoWales]

He didn't play enough games for that to matter.

The run defense was good last year anyways outside of 2-3 games.

Go check the yardage we conceded once Hankins went down in Wk 13, our run defense struggled therein.