Cowboys DT Mazi Smith shoots down naysayers with strong quote
There's no questioning that the main event of the Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp is going to be first-round draft pick Mazi Smith. The defensive tackle out of Michigan won't get to deal much damage as we still need to wait for the pads to come on and contact to actually take place, but it'll be […]
There's no questioning that the main event of the Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp is going to be first-round draft pick Mazi Smith.
The defensive tackle out of Michigan won't get to deal much damage as we still need to wait for the pads to come on and contact to actually take place, but it'll be his first chance to show his freakish athleticism everyone has been talking about.
Ahead of the important weekend for rookies, Smith addressed the biggest criticism headed his way upon his arrival to the Cowboys: His pass rushing skills.
In 2022, despite averaging over 45 snaps per game, Smith finished the season with a grand total of 0.5 sacks. The statistic is obviously underwhelming but it's also deceitful.
"A lot of people talk about my pass rush production in college, but I never had a pass rush plan," said Mazi Smith via Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken. "So, we’re going to get a plan and see what I can do. Ain’t seen nothing yet."
Now, it's fair to say that he did make an impact against the pass. Although he didn't record a full sack in his final season at Michigan, Smith finished second on the team in pressures. Oftentimes, he got the hurry but failed to finish the play. Not to mention, it wasn't what the Wolverines asked him to do.
As far as Mazi's self-admitted lack of a pass rush plan, the tape backs it up. Video consistently shows the movement Smith can generate upon contact and the functional strength and power he has to push offensive linemen out of the way is more than clear. But at times, it does seem like that's the only way he can actually turn the heat on against opposing QBs.
The Cowboys believe they can give him the tools to step up his game.
"I think there's ability for him to be able to rush the passer," said Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Will McClay the day the Cowboys drafted him. "You watch the Michigan tape and he's playing in a flat stance and doesn't get after the passer. Well, you change things up, you put him with Dan (Quinn) and (DL coach Aden Durde) and within our defense not only can he stop the run but we feel like there's upside in rushing the passer, as well."
The best thing about Smith's presence on the defense is that he doesn't even have to be the one beating his block in order for him to be of massive help to the Cowboys. His presence as a nose tackle will demand double-teams and will help generate plenty of one-on-one opportunities for the team's top edge rushers. Without the ability for offensive lines to slide toward Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, they'll get more chances to thrive.
The Cowboys made a first-round bet on Mazi because they believe he's the missing piece on their run defense. But expect them to also unlock a whole new dimension to their already impressive pass defense, regardless of the arguments of naysayers.
