The Dallas Cowboys made a surprising choice on Thursday when they made former first round pick and behemoth defensive tackle, Mazi Smith, inactive for the season opener.
Along with rookie fifth round running back, Jaydon Blue, Smith was a healthy scratch – despite having been listed amongst the starters up until just a week ago.
Although there is no definitive answer as to the precise reason the former Michigan man did not suit up against reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, announcer Cris Collinsworth – speaking with Mike Tirico on the live Thursday Night Football broadcast on NBC – believes that it essentially signals the beginning of the end of Smith’s time with the organization.
“If youâre inactive with what theyâve got at defensive tackle,” Collinsworth said about Smith during the TNF broadcast, “thatâs as close to being cut as you can be. Right, theyâve got Solomon Thomas, and a rookie in Jay Toia. But itâs quite the statement about your former number one pick.â
Mazi Smith’s Future In The Balance After TNF Omission
Right now, the Grand Rapids native is listed as a third stringer on the depth chart.
Ever since the team recouped Green Bay Packers nose tackle , Kenny Clark, as part of the Micah Parsons trade exactly a week ago, on Thursday 28th August, Smith’s future has at least been in part in doubt.
Clark represented a true upgrade a position that was a clear weakness in 2024, and despite him having one of his weaker pass-rushing seasons of his career last year, he remains a stout defender against the run.
Smith had a poor rookie season in 2023 after being selected with the 26th overall pick, and failed to take that second year leap in 2024. In fact, Smith was graded out so poorly by the analysts from Pro Football Focus, that they had him as the 208th out of 220 qualifying defensive tackles last season – with only twelve players receiving lower grades than his 34.8.
What Is The State of The Cowboys’ Defensive Tackle Position?
Smith is still on the team – for now. If they do plan on releasing him in the not-so-distant future, then the decision to not release him during final cuts is certainly a bit of a strange one.
Collinsworth’s statement implies that the writing is already on the wall – and it might be. But perhaps Smith will remain on the roster long enough to be bought in as cover, or slowly work his way up the pecking order at DT.
Otherwise, it could be that Dallas is holding out for a team to offers some – really any sort of compensation in exchange for their expensive investment.
For now, the position of nose tackle next to 3-technique, Osa Odighizuwa belongs to Clark – and unless the team see some truly impressive signs from rookie seventh rounder, Toia, the job does not appear to be going elsewhere any time soon.
Smith is not as good as cut right now; at least not with the information known to fans and the media. But this certainly about as on edge as it can get for ex first rounder.
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