Cowboys land impact defender in latest NFL mock draft
Over the last week, the Dallas Cowboys have done an excellent job of adding cheap free agents to provide depth as well as a few immediate impact players. When the NFL draft rolls around next month, the Cowboys will still have several holes to fill, one of them being defensive tackle, more specifically, a 1-tech. […]
Over the last week, the Dallas Cowboys have done an excellent job of adding cheap free agents to provide depth as well as a few immediate impact players.
When the NFL draft rolls around next month, the Cowboys will still have several holes to fill, one of them being defensive tackle, more specifically, a 1-tech.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has Dallas filling that need with Michigan's Mazi Smith with the 26th overall pick in his latest mock draft.
Smith has generated a lot of buzz in personnel circles for his combination of athleticism and power. His best football is ahead of him and he’d fill a need in Dallas.
Dallas could likely bring back Jonathan Hankins in the next few days who played well at nose tackle for them in 2022. However, that would likely be on a short-term basis, which means the Cowboys should certainly consider Smith as a long-term solution.
Smith stands at 6'3" and weighs 319 pounds with an explosive initial pinch off of the line of scrimmage. His size allows him to be a space-eater and take on double teams. Smith disengages off of blocks extremely well and is a very good run-stopper, something the Cowboys need immensely.
The 2022 All-Big Ten performer only amassed one sack on the college level. Don't let that fool you though, because his ability to use speed and his strength simultaneously make him a pocket mover with a chance to vastly improve his game when it comes to getting to the quarterback.
Smith put on a show at the NFL combine with 34 bench press reps, the most for any defensive lineman. At Michigan's Pro Day, Smith recorded a 29.5-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 8'11".
The Cowboys are in a position to pretty much go any direction they want with how they've operated during the initial free-agency period. Adding Smith to a rotation with Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, and Chauncey Golston would have the Cowboys sitting in a good spot on the interior of their defensive line.
