The Dallas Cowboys appeared to be getting a bargain when they drafted the raw but talented Mazi Smith out of Michigan back in 2023, using the 26th overall pick on him. It was only a matter of time, it seemed, before Smith was a game-wrecker up front.
Smith came in at 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic had Smith No. 1 on his list freaky athletes with “unique physical abilities that wow even those who observe gifted athletes every day.” If there was an issue with Smith with the Wolverines, it was that he sometimes blended into the background on game film, rather than employing his physical abilities to torment offenses.
In three seasons with the Cowboys, it was the blending into the background that won out over the unique physical abilities, and Smith was sent off to the Jets on Tuesday as a throw-in to the blockbuster deal to add Quinnen Williams. Smith started 17 games last year, but played only five this season, a healthy scratch four times.
Mazi Smith Only 24 Years Old
He is only 24 years old, though, and now departed from the Cowboys, Smith will get a chance to remake himself with the Jets. Having also traded Sauce Gardner, New York is in full rebuild mode, meaning the team can bring Smith along at a slower pace, and even try to rebuild him as a player as part of their overall process.
Smith graded out at a 46.4 at Pro Football Focus, which would put him firmly in the bottom third in the league among defensive linemen.
Jets Hopeful Mazi Smith Thrives With ‘Change of Scenery’
Jets coach Aaron Glenn is hoping that’s what happens in the coming months and beyond.
“Obviously, things didn’t work out well with him in Dallas,” Glenn said, “and … man, we’re hoping he can get a change of scenery and come here with us and be able to provide what we’re looking for.”
Like the Cowboys once were, Glenn was wowed by Smith’s sheer physical size.
“He’s a huge man,” Glenn said. “He’s strong, has all the traits that you’re really looking for when it comes to a defensive tackle.”
GettyAaron Glenn speaks to media during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer Had Good-Bye Chat
Even amid a rough 3-5-1 season, the Cowboys and coach Brian Schottenheimer deserve credit for preaching the notion of competitiveness, going back to camp and now in practice. He’s consistently said that playing time is up for grabs and will be given to those who earn it. Smith never really earned it, and the fact that he was a first-round pick went out the window with this new coaching regime.
Still, Schottenheimer had a heart-to-heart with Smith.
“I had a really good talk with Mazi,” Schottenheimer said. “He was obviously disappointed that it didn’t work out for him here, and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Like Glenn, he is hopeful that the coming years see Smith blossom.
“I told him that what I truly believe is sometimes change is good,” he said. “He gets a chance to go and start over in New York, and that’s not a bad thing. He won’t be the first person that leaves one team and goes and has great success. I want that for him. I hope he has a great career, but it was tough to say goodbye to Mazi.”
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