A profusion of Dallas Cowboys players are under pressure to perform this season, but 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith definitely tops the list.
Drafted to remedy the team's issues defending the run, Smith has been one of the NFL's worst run defenders among interior defenders. It stands to reason the front office and coaching staff are aware of Smith's struggles.
Well, after months of fans begging Dallas to beef up the position, they are working out two UFL standouts this weekend, according to Patrik Walker of the team's official website. Per Walker, the Cowboys are hosting defensive tackles Perrion Winfrey and DeVere Levelston.
Cowboys send loud and clear message to Mazi Smith with reported DT workouts
If Winfrey's name rings a bell, that's because he was among the biggest standouts at the 2022 Senior Bowl. The Browns selected Winfrey in the fourth round that year, but they released him the following summer after he was listed as a suspect in an aggravated robbery incident.
The Jets signed Winfrey to their practice squad that November and he appeared in just one game during the regular season. That compelled the Oklahoma product to take his talents to the UFL this past season. He was named to the All-UFL Team after compiling nine tackles for loss, four passes defended, one sack and one forced fumble.
Winfrey is familiar with newly-minted Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who served as the Jets D-line coach in 2023. That is something to keep an eye on.
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That brings us to Levelston.
A 2024 undrafted free agent who signed with the Seahawks, Levelston joined the Memphis Showboats of the UFL midway through the 2025 season. He posted 12 tackles and two sacks with a 82.9 PFF player grade, per James Larsen of Pro Football Newsroom.
Winfrey and Levelston probably aren't the caliber of players Cowboys fans had in mind to compete with Smith. That doesn't mean the front office won't look into adding a veteran down the line. Regardless, it is pretty damning that they think two UFL standouts can add something to the DT room.
Smith will get every opportunity to prove he can handle the one-technique position. However, we know the coaching staff is high on 2025 seventh-round pick Jay Toia out of UCLA. If one of Winfrey or Levelston end up signing, that won't inspire any confidence that Smith is ready to turn a corner in year three.