There is no player on the Dallas Cowboys under more pressure to perform this season than Mazi Smith. While stars DaRon Bland and George Pickens are in the final year of their respective contracts, they will get paid regardless of where they play next year.
Smith's standing with the team could be in jeopardy if he doesn't perform. The hope is that he will make a bigger impact in the trenches than he did in his first two seasons. He showed some flashes under Mike Zimmer in 2024, but he needs to find more consistency.
Well, that might be hard to come by now that we know the Cowboys' plan for the former first-round pick. Per Brian Schottenheimer, Smith lost weight this offseason because Dallas wants to deploy him at both defensive tackle positions: the 1-techn and 3-tech.
This is exactly the mistake Dan Quinn made with Smith in 2023.
Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus is repeating the same Mazi Smith mistake Dan Quinn made
The Cowboys should have learned their lesson when Quinn converted Smith to the three-tech position as a rookie. He trimmed down to the point where he looked smaller than some of the team's defensive ends. He never got comfortable with the role and his production, or lack thereof, showed.
Dallas is renowned for their player development, but their plan with Smith is all sorts of head-scratching.
Smith's rare blend of size and strength helped him dominate at Michigan, which plays in arguably college football's most physical conference. He was one of the strongest players in the 2023 class. He doesn't have a background getting upfield.
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Why not cater to Smith's strengths rather than shoehorn him into a role he clearly isn't comfortable in to fit a scheme? It's a questionable look from Eberflus.
It's not like the Cowboys don't already have a quality three-tech. In terms of rushing the passer, Osa Odighizuwa was one of the most disruptive DTs in all of football last season. Historically, the three-tech has been the nucleus of Eberflus' scheme. That is Odighizuwa.
Beyond the three-technique, Smith still needs to improve at the one-tech position. How is playing him in both positions going to result in improvement across the board?
Yes, it is only the first day of camp. There's no telling if Smith will excel or sink in this new role. However, it is hard to look at the player's history and and not be concerned about his long-term outlook this season.