Mazi is the least productive 1st round DT in 20 years

[Malhavoc]

Don't forget 9.99 RAS and Dan Quinn.

The potenial is obviously there.

Don’t waste your breath dude. The true answers will come when Smith gets on the field. Same deal as last year when folks killed the drafting of the other Smith.

 

[TasteMyScythe]

What a joke...It's a mistake to judge a player, especially a 1T on production. The real production is how the player makes the unit better?
Mazi was asked to 2 gap at Michigan, to be discipline and hold his lanes.
You guys have been chirping for a true 1T for yearssss and now we got one he's not good enough....just stick to building your super team on Madden.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Couldn't find a database so I had to hand-check this.

Anyway, there's been 63 DTs drafted 1st round since 2003, and none of them have had backfield production as poor as Mazi Smith. The dude had a career 6 TFLs and 0.5 sacks.

The only other guys in that zip code are

-Arik Armstead (5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks)
-Michael Brockers (11 TFLs, 2 sacks)
-Phil Taylor (9.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks)
-Justin Harrell (9 TFLs, 2.5 sacks)
-John McCargo (9 TFLs, 0.5 sacks).

If we're wanting a NT, I would be a little nervous.

Here's the list I was going off of, feel free to fact check me.

https://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/positions-round/dt

Sorry, but have we drafted Mazi to play DE? or 3-Tech?
Werent we in the top 3 in sacks and pressure% in 2022?
Will Mazi's size allow us to more 3rd and long pass-rush opportunities.
Will Mazi's size require double teaming and create space for other rushers?
Is it more important for the individual's or teams to get sacks?
Do you think DQ likes to scheme up plays around the abilities of the D-Line, freeing up say a Safety?

I couldnt care if his 10m split was timed on a calendar, so long as he stops the run and can, on the odd occasions he's on 3rd down duty, he's just occupying body's creating space for others.

 

[gtb1943]

Judging 1techs by sacks is probably why we never bothered drafting the truly talented ones early.

Now we finally did and that’s a problem too.

"POW, RIGHT IN THE KISSER!"

 

[tm1119]

I don’t hate the pick, but I don’t love it. I think Mazi will be a good starter for a while, but is he going to be a pro bowl difference maker? Kinda doubt it. Michael Brockers is probably a pretty good comp

 

[gtb1943]

I don’t hate the pick, but I don’t love it. I think Mazi will be a good starter for a while, but is he going to be a pro bowl difference maker? Kinda doubt it. Michael Brockers is probably a pretty good comp

which is still worlds better than we have had at NT for HOW LONG?

 

[beware_d-ware]

I don’t hate the pick, but I don’t love it. I think Mazi will be a good starter for a while, but is he going to be a pro bowl difference maker? Kinda doubt it. Michael Brockers is probably a pretty good comp

If he's Brockers, we'll get our money's worth.

 

[gtb1943]

Couldn't find a database so I had to hand-check this.

Anyway, there's been 63 DTs drafted 1st round since 2003, and none of them have had backfield production as poor as Mazi Smith. The dude had a career 6 TFLs and 0.5 sacks.

The only other guys in that zip code are

-Arik Armstead (5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks)
-Michael Brockers (11 TFLs, 2 sacks)
-Phil Taylor (9.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks)
-Justin Harrell (9 TFLs, 2.5 sacks)
-John McCargo (9 TFLs, 0.5 sacks).

If we're wanting a NT, I would be a little nervous.

Here's the list I was going off of, feel free to fact check me.

https://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/positions-round/dt

Obsession with pass rush is frankly DUMB. We got the people to get us all the sacks we need. WHAT WE DO NOT HAVE are studs that can hold the line and make the difference on the short yardage plays THAT DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF MANY GAMES. If Mazi can be a stone wall and push the pile; apply pressure up the gut, then he is worth it and is badly needed.

 

[fivetwos]

"POW, RIGHT IN THE KISSER!"

Know what’s weird?

I feel like I’m defending a front office who I can’t stand over a draft that I didn’t hate, but didn’t love either lol.

I’m usually on the other end but I think we will be better equipped to win games after this draft.

I think replacing Schultz’ near complete ineptitude at run blocking with that of Schoonmaker will help big time. Too many of those Elliott minus one to plus one carries was about Schultz whiffing on his man.

Gaining four plus on first down via the run more often is going to help this QB get us leads while controlling the clock, and then good luck beating this defense from behind.

No need to get hung up on his age unless he is dating your daughter or is a QB….or that he didn’t have crazy catch stats at Michigan of all places.

No, he probably won’t be here for a second contract, but he is going to help this team succeed for the next four.

Considering how bad the second round has been for this team, it’s not a bad play. It’s much better than a thug corner who isnt much more than a flag magnet on special teams

 

[chicago JK]

Time will tell. That is a difficult position to play. In some ways how you play when you are tired will show how successful you are. Also being picked in the first round, Dallas must believe he has untapped interior pressure ability. A two down run clogger, even a very good one, is sort of limited. If he can also provide interior pressure, I think that warrants a first round pick. So we will see. His athletic traits seem to show he can do it, while his college production didn’t show this. Michigan had a few other guys who were better in the pros as well.

 

[MAZEREZAM]

What a joke...It's a mistake to judge a player, especially a 1T on production. The real production is how the player makes the unit better?
Mazi was asked to 2 gap at Michigan, to be discipline and hold his lanes.
You guys have been chirping for a true 1T for yearssss and now we got one he's not good enough....just stick to building your super team on Madden.

Not only that. Everyone wanted a “big fatty” to eat up blocks. They accepted the role of a NT until we actually drafted one.

 

[xwalker]

Payne had 5 tfl's and 3 sacks

Now THAT's a good catch. Thank you for that.

He's not listed on that draft history page... dude was picked right after Vita Vea and the site just straight skipped over him.

Payne is a top 3 NT (1tech/0tech) and some rate him as #1.

He just signed a 90M contract.

His stats are more relevant than most (maybe all) DTs on the list that was posted.

In reality, stats for 1tech/0tech DTs are of minimal value.

Just watching Michigan game footage, it is obvious that opponents generally ran the ball away from Mazi.
- Mazi on the left. Run the ball right or outside.
- Mazi on the right. Run the ball left of outside.

 

[fivetwos]

A reminder on Dexter Lawrence, one of the best DT in the game…..

The Giants got killed by fans and media for taking a two down player so high.

The guy eventually learns his craft and is now a pass rush threat. Not everyone has peaked at the time they are drafted.

You all know how crazily different the “redo” things are even a year from now, so it’s really tough to stand here today and speak in absolutes.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don't like tackle stats at all. Lots of those come down to the grader.

Backfield plays are more definitive, and also project better to the NFL. TFLs per game are 3 times more correlated to rookie-contract success than tackles per game for DTs, and are the single most predictive counting stat in general for both college DTs and DEs.

https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/article/numbers/nfl-draft-analytics-def?page=0

I wouldn’t use tackles to determine how well someone played im just saying it means more to me than sack totals at the one tech.

 

[rambo2]

I think the run defense is fine when everyone is healthy.

They didn’t need to use a round 1 player to fix it and nothing he did at Michigan makes me think he’s some sure fire answer either.

i think that there is a good chance that Mazi Smith will be a good player for several years for the Cowboys. Well worth the pick.

 

[DFWJC]

Im not a fan of the value of a player like this.

It’s like drafting a middle linebacker in round 1. No thanks.

I'll say this; When we were on the clock I was not really thinking Mazi was good value...yet.
But I see what they were thinking and hope it pans out. Suspect he'll be a multi-year starter.

 

[MAZEREZAM]

I don’t hate the pick, but I don’t love it. I think Mazi will be a good starter for a while, but is he going to be a pro bowl difference maker? Kinda doubt it. Michael Brockers is probably a pretty good comp

Who is the sure fire Pro Bowler we passed on at #26

 

[rambo2]

I think the run defense is fine when everyone is healthy.

They didn’t need to use a round 1 player to fix it and nothing he did at Michigan makes me think he’s some sure fire answer either.

Michigan had an excellent run defense. Guess what teams do in the Big 10? They run between the tackles. Guess who was in the middle? Mazi Smith was in the middle.

 

[gtb1943]

Know what’s weird?

I feel like I’m defending a front office who I can’t stand over a draft that I didn’t hate, but didn’t love either lol.

I’m usually on the other end but I think we will be better equipped to win games after this draft.

I think replacing Schultz’ near complete ineptitude at run blocking with that of Schoonmaker will help big time. Too many of those Elliott minus one to plus one carries was about Schultz whiffing on his man.

Gaining four plus on first down via the run more often is going to help this QB get us leads while controlling the clock, and then good luck beating this defense from behind.

No need to get hung up on his age unless he is dating your daughter or is a QB….or that he didn’t have crazy catch stats at Michigan of all places.

No, he probably won’t be here for a second contract, but he is going to help this team succeed for the next four.

Considering how bad the second round has been for this team, it’s not a bad play. It’s much better than a thug corner who isnt much more than a flag magnet on special teams

Agree. My beef with the pick if blocking was so important they could have gone later in the draft for one. But if he does road grade DE's and LB's that is a big plus; Schultz was frankly embarrassing at times. I do disagree about age being a factor as regards QB. In this day and age where they nearly wear skirts anyway making it to 35 or so is very common. So that is at least 2 contracts. And maturity is a very good thing at that position.

 

[ghst187]

What a joke

TCU disagrees