Sell me on Mazi Smith

[darthseinfeld]

wow, I didn't realize it was that far back into the history....amazingly bad

You could make a case for Spears. 5T's basically DT's

 

[beware_d-ware]

I'd have to sell you on the position rather than the player. 1T is kind of the one missing piece on our defense, and Mazi would bring the kind of power we haven't had there in literally decades. You'd be drafting the last piece to that puzzle.

As a player though... yeesh. I don't see it at all. Right now, Mazi brings a 320 lb frame, some serious upper body strength, and basically nothing else.

Is he better than Benton in your eyes. Benton is smaller, but he plays with as much if not more power and is more consistent. Benton is also probably a 3 down player right now, where Smith needs to develop before he is on the field on 3rd downs

Benton falls into that "zero chance he sucks" zone for me. He's just too well-rounded.

He's had good production against the run and the pass, his body type fits anywhere between the tackles so he's pretty much scheme independent, and he checks every box for measurables. He doesn't have any dominant traits or athleticism to be a stud, but he's got no real weaknesses either.

Like this RAS card is Benton in a nutshell. He's good because he's not bad at anything.

 

[JeffInDC]

I like Benton from Wisconsin better - seems more consistent than Smith. And, Benton isn't that much smaller than Smith (311 vs. 319 at their Pro Days).

 

[fivetwos]

If there’s any question at all of a DT being worthy of pick 26, Jerry isn’t going to do it.

There will likely be a compromise of jersey sellers and need (TE, RB, or a WR Jerry claims they had a top 10 grade on) at 26.

 

[xwalker]

I'd have to sell you on the position rather than the player. 1T is kind of the one missing piece on our defense, and Mazi would bring the kind of power we haven't had there in literally decades. You'd be drafting the last piece to that puzzle.

As a player though... yeesh. I don't see it at all. Right now, Mazi brings a 320 lb frame, some serious upper body strength, and basically nothing else.



Benton falls into that "zero chance he sucks" zone for me. He's just too well-rounded.

He's had good production against the run and the pass, his body type fits anywhere between the tackles so he's pretty much scheme independent, and he checks every box for measurables. He doesn't have any dominant traits or athleticism to be a stud, but he's got no real weaknesses either.

Like this RAS card is Benton in a nutshell. He's good because he's not bad at anything.

Benton is a better prospect, IMO.

 

[Mr_437]

I can't.

 

[RS12]

I expect Mazi to be a solid to good pro. But the weekly we could have had for example Kincaid at 26 and he is tearing it up threads would be as bad as the Dak threads. I don't think he is the pick at 26 and I think he is gone by 58.

 

[Carson]

I expect Mazi to be a solid to good pro. But the weekly we could have had for example Kincaid at 26 and he is tearing it up threads would be as bad as the Dak threads. I don't think he is the pick at 26 and I think he is gone by 58.

Agreed. Feel the same with Avila.

 

[Pass2Run]

I can't, unless it's after round 1.

I actually didn't think Jordan Davis was worth the Eagles 1st rounder last year. Turns out I may be right. Still too early to tell, but I think they could have gotten a better player where they picked.

 

[Pass2Run]

I'd have to sell you on the position rather than the player. 1T is kind of the one missing piece on our defense, and Mazi would bring the kind of power we haven't had there in literally decades. You'd be drafting the last piece to that puzzle.

As a player though... yeesh. I don't see it at all. Right now, Mazi brings a 320 lb frame, some serious upper body strength, and basically nothing else.



Benton falls into that "zero chance he sucks" zone for me. He's just too well-rounded.

He's had good production against the run and the pass, his body type fits anywhere between the tackles so he's pretty much scheme independent, and he checks every box for measurables. He doesn't have any dominant traits or athleticism to be a stud, but he's got no real weaknesses either.

Like this RAS card is Benton in a nutshell. He's good because he's not bad at anything.

I think Benton could be the better player too.

 

[Malhavoc]

People listen to Dane when it's convenient apparently

It ain’t only Dane, but it’s the scouting community in general. Guys that size should not move like him. He’s a powerful player but his technique definitely needs work. I would not take him in round 1 but I would bet on his upside in round 2. And he has more upside that Benton who I like. People kill the kid for the TCU game. Go watch Benton’s game against Ohio State. Wasn’t pretty.

 

[ghst187]

Pro:
He would be a great 7th round pick...

Con:
A 1-tech DT that was easily pushed around by OG Steve Avila.
- Either Avila is the next Larry Allen or Mazi is not very powerful.

Questions:
- Were his issues technique or physical?
- He has 34 bench reps but the weight room strength didn't consistently show up in games.
- He is quicker and more athletic than most of the scouting reports indicate.

Future Options:
- Gains weight and become the run plugging anchor that some draft reports claim he was in college.
--- Then he loses quickness and is just a run downs 1-tech. Those players don't have a high value in the modern NFL.
- Stays at about 320 or even drops to 315 but develops more power and/or better technique.
=== Then he has a chance to become a high value 3-downs or at least "2 and a half" downs DT.

This right here!
He’s a large speed bump, nothing more. We have a Bohanna….same/same.

 

[fivetwos]

I’d be really surprised if pick 26 is made by Dallas and it’s not a corner or an offensive skill player.

 

[Kwyn]

I see alot clamoring for this guy. What do you see in him that makes you think he should be #26

It’s just his size and raw skills and the fact that of the top five or six DT’s, he’s the only one-technique in the lot.

I wouldn’t take him in the first round though. He had a gun charge I’m not crazy about and he seems pretty inconsistent.

I’m disappointed in the DT class as a whole. I’m afraid there might not be one that is gettable that will be a huge difference maker for us.