Dallas Cowboys fact or fiction: Defensive edition

Mazi Smith will post better stats than Aaron Donald's rookie season

This by no means is me saying that Smith is better than Donald, but more about the situation the rookie is coming into.

In 16 games of his rookie season, Donald had 47 total tackles, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 18 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits. This may look daunting for Smith, but thanks to the talent around him Smith is actually going to see more opportunities to be more than just the run-stopper people see him as.

Paired with Parsons, Lawrence, and others around him forcing teams to slide protections it will give Smith more chances to show off his quickness off the line and pad his stats before teams start adjusting to him. I can see him reaching a stat line of 63 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and 20 quarterback hits thanks to his untapped potential and his supporting cast.


FACT