3 projected Cowboys starters who need the most playing time in preseason

2. Mazi Smith

The Cowboys got some major help for their run defense on the defensive line this offseason. The team used their first round pick on Michigan's Mazi Smith and the former Wolverine has already made headlines in camp. After the team's first padded practice, Smith met with the media.

When he spoke the media, Smith discussed how he does not like to trash talk anybody, he just likes hitting people. For any fan of football, that is the type of player you would love to have on the team. Most players like to do their talking on the field, but Smith seems like the kind of player who just loves going out there and doing his job.

Smith joins Jonathan Hankins on the interior of a defensive line that surrendered 124.4 rushing yards per game last season. For a team in desperate need of interior line help, picking Smith in the first round made sense. Now that Smith is putting the pads on, it is time for him to make those hits against Jacksonville.

Hankins as well as guys like Demarcus Lawrence can afford to take some time off in preseason, but Smith needs live game reps in the starting 11. As a rookie, he needs all the action he can get before opening night against the Giants. It would not be surprising to see Smith start all three games and even get some playing time alongside a good number of the backups.