2024 Defense Stats
TCKL
41
SACKS
1.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
2025 Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Smith could be on his last chance with the Cowboys. Taken 26th overall in the 2023 Draft, he hasn't missed a game yet in his NFL career, but he's done little else of note. Smith did see his tackle total jump from 13 as a rookie to 41 in 2024 as he nearly doubled his snap count, but he's failed to be the anchor against the run that the team needs. Being on his third defensive coordinator in three years doesn't help, either. Read Past Outlooks
Not guaranteed roster spot
Smith may be on the roster bubble for the Cowboys, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The 2023 first-round pick has failed to make any kind of impact in his first two NFL seasons, with his only redeeming quality being that he hasn't missed a game. Smith graded out 208th among 220 interior defensive linemen last year according to Pro Football Focus, and offseason turnover in the coaching staff means that the current brain trust of head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus have little investment in keeping the 24-year-old Michigan product around. "We're still in the information gathering process," Schottenheimer said Monday. "We'll sit down after we play Friday and we'll make some decisions about the entire roster. There will probably be some surprises from some of the mock things that are out there in terms of, 'Hey, I thought for sure this guy was gonna make it.'" The coach did note that Smith "did some good things" in last Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, but he also highlighted his lack of consistency. "Mazi wants to be a great player. Mazi can. But what he has to do is be more consistent. That great play I described where he's getting his second step in the dirt and fish-hooking the center and he's basically destroying the line of scrimmage, that's got to be the standard. Not the, 'Okay, I did that,' and for two plays I'm not holding the point as strong as I need to." Smith may get his last chance to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster in Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons.
The 2023 first-round pick has failed to make any kind of impact in his first two NFL seasons, with his only redeeming quality being that he hasn't missed a game. Smith graded out 208th among 220 interior defensive linemen last year according to Pro Football Focus, and offseason turnover in the coaching staff means that the current brain trust of head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus have little investment in keeping the 24-year-old Michigan product around. "We're still in the information gathering process," Schottenheimer said Monday. "We'll sit down after we play Friday and we'll make some decisions about the entire roster. There will probably be some surprises from some of the mock things that are out there in terms of, 'Hey, I thought for sure this guy was gonna make it.'" The coach did note that Smith "did some good things" in last Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, but he also highlighted his lack of consistency. "Mazi wants to be a great player. Mazi can. But what he has to do is be more consistent. That great play I described where he's getting his second step in the dirt and fish-hooking the center and he's basically destroying the line of scrimmage, that's got to be the standard. Not the, 'Okay, I did that,' and for two plays I'm not holding the point as strong as I need to." Smith may get his last chance to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster in Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons.
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2024 NFL Game Log
2024
2023
2024 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2024 Mazi Smith Split Stats
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2023 Fantasy Outlook
Taken 26th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith potentially gives the Cowboys something they're been lacking in recent years - a big, physical presence in the middle of the defensive line who can both stuff the run and collapse the pocket. The Michigan product has drawn Dontari Poe comparisons due to his size and athleticism, but he will likely need to improve his technique to become a consistent asset on passing downs.
More Fantasy News
Returns to action
Smith (knee) logged one tackle during Dallas' preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
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Battling knee issue
Smith (knee) was a limited participant in practice Tuesday, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Takes on bigger role in Year 2
Smith started all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2024 and recorded 41 tackles (22 solo), including 1.0 sacks.
ANALYSIS
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Active Sunday
Smith (pelvis) is active for Sunday's game against the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
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Will play against Baltimore
Smith (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Vote of confidence from owner
Despite Smith's low usage and slow start to the season, he's been praised by teammates and team decision makers like owner/general manager Jerry Jones, Anthony Licciardi of SI.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The Cowboys took Smith 26th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft with the vision that he would be in a position to immediately contribute alongside Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence on the defensive front. Smith has just 36 defensive snaps over three contests this season, and while it has been a concern raised by fans, Jones said Smith is an "outstanding football player that has some of the most unique football attributes that have ever been put on the field," during a Friday appearance on "105.3 The Fan." Smith has accumulated three tackles in limited action as he works behind Johnathan Hankins and Osa Odighizuwa at defensive tackle.
The Cowboys took Smith 26th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft with the vision that he would be in a position to immediately contribute alongside Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence on the defensive front. Smith has just 36 defensive snaps over three contests this season, and while it has been a concern raised by fans, Jones said Smith is an "outstanding football player that has some of the most unique football attributes that have ever been put on the field," during a Friday appearance on "105.3 The Fan." Smith has accumulated three tackles in limited action as he works behind Johnathan Hankins and Osa Odighizuwa at defensive tackle.