CFO Sports: Dallas Cowboys DT Mazi Smith is getting better (film study)

[gtb1943]

I'd challenge anyone to lose 30lbs of mass and participate in any activity requiring strength. Imagine a fighter dropping 3 weight classes over a few months. Even if the coaching was legit he had no @## to put behind his technique. It was always gross negligence how he was handled year one.

And of course that means he is not learning anything as well, right?
the basics every single DT in the NFL should be taught, right?

 

[CWR]

excuse after excuse
learning technique is not something he SHOULD have missed out on either last camp or this camp.
The basic things he has trouble with such as being quick off the mark is on him and no one else

He is playing an entirely different role with Zimmer than what DQ was attempting to develop.

You don't think the technique is different?

This entire argument is stupid. I'm not claiming he's going to develop into an all pro.

It is pretty stupid to crap on a guy while he's actively showing improvement though. It is also possible he will continue to improve until he's a really good player. Not everyone develops at the same rate for a variety of circumstances.

 

[John813]

Would be great. Hopefully he finishes the year strong

 

[4lifecowboy]

Our 1st round draft pick is getting better.....halfway past season 2? That's a problem that no one wants to see.

He plays a position where he probably needed to add strength.

 

[4lifecowboy]

Next years from four
Sam willliams, mazi smith, Kneeland, Lawrence. I think will be decent. Can they stay healthy

Lawrence is gone, unless he excepts a significant pay cut.

 

[kskboys]

The Zimmer effect. Like him or not, Zimmer is a legit NFL D coach. As opposed to gimmicky Quinn.

 

[kskboys]

Our 1st round draft pick is getting better.....halfway past season 2? That's a problem that no one wants to see.

Coaching. Quinn screwed him over royally.

 

[JeffInDC]

I posted this in another thread, but I believe he’d do better as a regular DT vs. being a NT - he usually has more wins than losses when he’s one on one. If he was paired with a LEGIT NT (one with great to elite anchoring ability vs. double teams), he might look better. His anchoring technique has cost him a ton of times in his 1.5 years in the league.

 

[Cmac]

That's not entirely fair. He lost a ton of weight and was asked to play out of position his rookie season. It was a lost year.

It doesn't mean he shouldn't be further along based on his experience this year and draft stock, but he is improving. I dont see a need to crap on him currently.

Ok

 

[DuncanIso]

I’m sure his improvement will have nothing to do with it.

BTW hows lances progression again?

#TreyLance

 

[Cmac]

He plays a position where he probably needed to add strength.

Ok

 

[gtb1943]

He is playing an entirely different role with Zimmer than what DQ was attempting to develop.

You don't think the technique is different?

This entire argument is stupid. I'm not claiming he's going to develop into an all pro.

It is pretty stupid to crap on a guy while he's actively showing improvement though. It is also possible he will continue to improve until he's a really good player. Not everyone develops at the same rate for a variety of circumstances.

no they are not different, how you fight off blocks; use leverage; that is UNIVERSAL

 

[Cmac]

Coaching. Quinn screwed him over royally.

Ok

 

[DuncanIso]

I posted this in another thread, but I believe he’d do better as a regular DT vs. being a NT - he usually has more wins than losses when he’s one on one. If he was paired with a LEGIT NT (one with great to elite anchoring ability vs. double teams), he might look better. His anchoring technique has cost him a ton of times in his 1.5 years in the league.

I Don’t see them doing that.

 

[DuncanIso]

Trading him before/after the 2025 draft is our best option for 2025.

PRE-6/1 TRADE​

2025 Dead Cap: $3,327,162
2025 Savings: $293,210

Cutting him would cost a fortune. 8M+ in 2025. 1.6M in 2026.

POST-6/1 RELEASE​

2025 Dead Cap: $6,180,558
2026 Dead Cap: $1,663,581
2025 Savings: $-2,560,186

They need to worry about keeping OSA.

Trade Mazi for a 2025 or 2026 7th.

 

[CWR]

no they are not different, how you fight off blocks; use leverage; that is UNIVERSAL

Two completely different styles of defense. Quinn had him attacking and Zimmer has him taking up blockers and keeping his LBs clean.

I'm sure there is overlap, but it's not all the same. It's not all universal. That's nonsense so yall can keep hating.

Yall might be right. There's a better chance at this point that he ends up being a JAG. It doesn't change the fact he got screwed last year and how silly it is to actively trash him while he's showing continued improvement.

I guess anything to keep crying.

 

[IceStar-D7]

It's getting to the point in here. If Mazi doesn't trip over his left foot it's called progress He's a first rounder-guys!!!!!!

 

[big dog cowboy]

Against the giants he was manhandled by one guard.

Not sure you were watching the right guy.

Because that wasn't the case.

 

[big dog cowboy]

He's a first rounder-guys!!!!!!

While true, he was ruined by the idiot coaching staff last year. Now he is showing signs of progress he should have shown last year. Plus he is playing a position that takes time to develop.

Yes he was a first rounder but he had a 2nd round grade. Every pick made late in the 1st round has a 2nd round grade. No team has that many players with 1st round grades on their draft board.

 

[America's Cowboy]

He’ll look a lot better with Mason Graham next to him in 2025.

Mason Graham looks small (6'3") and slow (5.10 40 yd dash) for a dominating interior DT...

Scouting Report: Weaknesses
*Occasionally struggles to shed blocks consistently, limiting his effectiveness in some plays.
*Relies heavily on strength over technique, which can make him predictable against experienced linemen.
*On the shorter side for his position, which can be a disadvantage against taller offensive linemen.
*Needs to diversify his pass-rush moves to become more consistently effective against higher-level competition.
*Inconsistency in separating from blocks makes him more of a disruptive presence rather than a dominant force every snap.

Scouting Report: Summary
Mason Graham is a high-motor defensive lineman with excellent quickness off the snap and a relentless pursuit of the ball. His ability to penetrate the backfield and disrupt both the run and pass game makes him a versatile and impactful player. Graham's wrestling background gives him superior leverage and balance, making him tough to handle in one-on-one matchups. However, he often relies more on raw power than refined technique, which can make him predictable against experienced offensive linemen.

While Graham’s physical attributes and motor are impressive, he needs to expand his pass-rush moves to consistently beat NFL-caliber blockers. His shorter stature can be a disadvantage when facing taller linemen, and he sometimes struggles to disengage from blocks, limiting his snap-to-snap effectiveness. Addressing these areas will be key for his development and impact at the next level.

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Mason-Graham-DL-Michigan