What is your outlook for Mazi Smith?

[chagus]

Im sure hes not worth a 1st rd pick.

 

[diamonddelts]

Do you feel confident he will become a consistent contributor on defense. Or do you think he will be a bust

BUST. Taco Charleton 2.0

 

[Buzzbait]

Dallas needs to draft two DT in next years draft

I hope they get it right this time! For a change!

 

[gimmesix]

Neither. I think he will be a contributor this year. I'm not sure he'll develop past that and may be replaced next season.

That said I'm a lot more optimistic than I was before. There is at least a possibility he grows into a fine 1 tech.

I think DQ set him back and last year was a lost season. He's basically a second year rookie.

He shows strength at the point of attack, but I think it will take him years to master the game to where he's not late getting off the ball at times. Not sure he'll get there while in Dallas.

However, we've had worse players than him hang around the league for a while, so I think he could eventually become a solid starter for someone where he plays with consistency because of his understanding of the game. Players like Joseph just have an understanding of how to play, what moves need to be made, when they need to be made, etc., that Mazi doesn't. Joseph just doesn't always have enough in his tank to be able to make them. Mazi's got the skill just not the know-how. How long it takes him to get it is the question.

 

[plasticman]

On one hand, he's put together two consecutive games in which he played well.

On the other hand, I think the coaches feel he can contribute quality plays if they are limited for now.

 

[Yobwocs]

Been passed over by Linval Joseph and Tyrus Wheat. They made more plays than he made in the Steelers game alone.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Do you feel confident he will become a consistent contributor on defense. Or do you think he will be a bust

Dear Darthman, what makes us thus far believe Mazi will improve?
I see no evidence of his incremental progress. However Yoda and Mcclay are determined tha Mazi become useful and not a bust.
Therefore, old boy, look for this bust to linger through 2026 because Yoda says so.

 

[charron]

Still has potential to be above average but I consider that a busy for a 1st rounder. So far this is looking to be his best year and he's an average DT.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Do you feel confident he will become a consistent contributor on defense. Or do you think he will be a bust

he is supposed to be a difference maker as a first round pick. perhaps not all pro, but play at a high level.
being consistent contributor is meaningless. plus we played against two inept offenses. easy to look good against competition that's at your level.
he is a bust.

 

[Smith22]

Ceiling: average starter.

Floor: bust

 

[DuncanIso]

Do you feel confident he will become a consistent contributor on defense. Or do you think he will be a bust

he likely gets cut after his third season.

his money is gtd, so it doesn’t sense to cut him earlier.

 

[heir]

Do you feel confident he will become a consistent contributor on defense. Or do you think he will be a bust

Was listening to a podcast and one of the people Nick Harris said he had an interesting talk with Jonathan Hankins last year. Hankins said that no one realizes how hard it is to come in and play NT in the NFL and when he started his rookie year he was playing of his life, included college. Now look at him 14 years in, he has had a solid career. Hopeful Mazi can do the same.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Im sure hes not worth a 1st rd pick.

No player taken late in the first round has a first round grade. They are all over drafted. Mazi is in that group.

What makes me mad is watching the footage of when the Cowboys were on the clock is there wasn't any talk about trading down. Even if they didn't get good value it would have been worth moving down a few spots. Mazi likely would have been there.

 

[kskboys]

He look to me like a player who will get better as time goes on but we probably get the up and down version of him before he moves on in free agency where his next team is likely to see the best version of Mazi.

He seems to have all the physical tools, is doing a much better job of using his hands and when he can create space between him and the OL he can get off blocks and make plays. The big issue I see with Mazi is that he is still slow to process whats happening in front of him and struggles when the OL moves on those zone run plays.

No, he appears to lack lateral agility. It was in his scouting report, and I haven't seen anything to suggest that it isn't accurate.

 

[UncleOscar]

Needed option 3: "Career JAG that will play for 3-4 more teams before he's out of the league in 5 years"

 

[blueblood70]

Im sure hes not worth a 1st rd pick.

right and that can be said about thousands of players, Hès was 27th overall,

remember that beast pick of the eagles in Jordan Davis 13th overall.. hmm how'd that be?? hes not exactly tearing up the league

That wasn't the question if he becomes a solid role player then at least he's not a bust and that's the question, OK.. I bet if you go back and look they're very difficult to find nose tackles that turn out to be great or Hall of Fame types or superstars because there's very few that are pure nose tackles pure one text that come out of the draft and that are available that's why it....think we're being too hard on the kid.

Where we pick in most drafts we're getting guys at the lower end of the rounds they might as well be a second round pick.

 

[blueblood70]

No player taken late in the first round has a first round grade. They are all over drafted. Mazi is in that group.

What makes me mad is watching the footage of when the Cowboys were on the clock is there wasn't any talk about trading down. Even if they didn't get good value it would have been worth moving down a few spots. Mazi likely would have been there.

And like I said above it's tough to find pure one tech nose tackles like that's all they do and that they're gonna be superstars and anywhere in the draft I think this position you almost have to get lucky.. I mean at least we didn't pick him 13th overall like Jordan Davis with the eagles I hate to keep bringing that up but this dude came from a big time school was supposed to be a big time player was picked in a big time spot and he hasn't done anything more than Mazi...

 

[Swagger]

Solid contributor for several years.

 

[blueblood70]

Needed option 3: "Career JAG that will play for 3-4 more teams before he's out of the league in 5 years"

how about you make your own if you want another pole and another debate put it on a separate thread how about stick to the game you pick one or the other or don't post at all

 

[Swagger]

Needed option 3: "Career JAG that will play for 3-4 more teams before he's out of the league in 5 years"