A Rookie Season of Adaptation for Mazi Smith
Mazi Smith's rookie year with the Dallas Cowboys was a testament to adaptation and relentless effort. As the young defensive lineman navigated the challenges of professional football, his journey became a reflection of both struggle and promise.
Smith played all 17 regular-season games in his first year, an impressive feat for any rookie. However, his stat line—13 tackles, one sack, eight quarterback pressures, and three tackles for loss—speaks to a season of both learning and growing pains. A significant moment of his season came during the NFC wild card round playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, where Smith logged a mere four snaps.
Despite the modest statistics, Smith’s rookie year was largely defined by his physical transformation. Coming out of his college career at Michigan, he was listed at 337 pounds. At the 2023 NFL Combine, he had trimmed down to 323 pounds, and by the time he was fitting into Cowboys' new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's scheme, his weight had dipped below 300 pounds.
“Zimmer noted Smith lost a lot of weight when he joined the Cowboys and struggled last year,” said Mike Zimmer, who has now taken over as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. Zimmer’s plan involves allowing Smith to return to a more substantial playing weight, aiming for the 310-315 pound range. This adjustment is expected to facilitate Smith's effectiveness in the revised defensive scheme.
Defensive schemes in the NFL are often tailored to the strengths of particular players, and Smith is no exception. “Zimmer’s plan is for Smith to play blocks more and use his hands and footwork correctly,” Zimmer explained. The focus is on mastering the basics, which Zimmer believes will unlock Smith’s potential. “He was trying to be an attacking three-technique to get up the field. ... Obviously, he was a high draft pick. I heard that he kind of struggled last year, so we're gonna start with the basics. Get him in a good stance, get him using his hands the right way, getting his footwork the right way and then go from there.”
Smith himself is keenly aware of what’s needed from him. “I did everything I was supposed to do and did nothing but train. Everything in my power. Control the controllables. In this scheme, I don't want to be 290. Probably want to be like 310-315. See what that's doing for you. If you have to go up [more in weight], go up,” Smith stated. It's clear that he is committed to evolving his game and making the necessary adjustments to fit into Zimmer’s plans.
Looking at Smith’s potential, there’s a palpable sense of expectation around the team. Micah Parsons, another defensive stalwart for the Cowboys, emphasized the urgency of Smith’s development. “It’s not what I think he can be, it's what Mazi has to be. When you get to this business, there is no more of a choice or a can: it's either you will or you won't... We drafted him to be in the game. That's how much confidence I have,” Parsons remarked. This sentiment underscores the high stakes and pressures that come with being a high draft pick in a team with lofty aspirations.
Smith is no stranger to versatility and adaptation. Reflecting on his career, he stated, “My whole career I've been a guy who could play in multiple schemes. I got the athletic traits to be an up-field guy, but I have the strength to play at the line of scrimmage and build a wall.” This blend of athleticism and strength is a cornerstone of what makes him such a valuable asset, provided he can harness these traits within the framework of the team’s defensive strategies.
With a clean slate moving forward, Smith is focused on writing his own story. “I kind of go over there with a clean slate. I want to write my story. I don't really set goals. Everybody want to be an All-Pro. Everybody want to be top five. I want to be the best me I can be,” he said. This mindset of personal excellence and relentless improvement resonates strongly within the culture of the Cowboys.
For Smith, the path ahead is clear, albeit challenging. With the support of teammates like Parsons, who said, “That's why I'm in his corner, I'm rooting for him and hoping to get him better every day... We need Mazi to be that great force. He can be a dominant player. It's just a will and mindset,” the young lineman is positioned to make significant strides in the upcoming season.
As Mazi Smith continues to adjust and refine his game, the Dallas Cowboys are hopeful that this season of adaptation will pave the way for a breakthrough in the years to come. His journey illustrates the intersection of raw talent, dedicated effort, and the crucial role of a supportive team environment in the NFL.