Mazi Smith’s rookie year with the Dallas Cowboys can be best described as a season of adaptation, marked by the relentless effort of a promising young player navigated through significant changes.
The Rookie Season
Mazi Smith’s inaugural season in the NFL saw him play all 17 regular-season games, a testament to his determination and resilience. Over the course of the 2023 season, Smith registered 13 tackles, one sack, eight quarterback pressures, and three tackles for loss. While these stats might not jump off the page, they depict a player who is contributing consistently on the field.
However, his time in the postseason was limited, with Smith logging a mere four snaps in the Cowboys' NFC Wild Card round loss to the Green Bay Packers. This limited action underscores the challenges Smith faced in adapting to the professional level and the specific schemes he was introduced to.
Adapting to the Professional Game
The transition from college to the professional game is rarely seamless, and Smith experienced the typical hurdles. A notable aspect of Smith’s year one journey was the fluctuation in his playing weight. Listed at 337 pounds during his college career at Michigan, Smith trimmed down to 323 pounds for the 2023 NFL Combine to better fit into the defensive schemes of Dan Quinn, the former Cowboys' defensive coordinator. The weight loss, however, presented its own set of challenges.
Smith’s Weight and Performance
Mike Zimmer, the new defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, remarked on Smith’s weight struggles, saying, "Zimmer noted Smith lost a lot of weight when he joined the Cowboys and struggled last year."
Understanding the importance of an optimal playing weight, Zimmer plans to allow Smith to return to a more substantial weight range that best suits his playing style and strengths. Smith himself acknowledges the need for this adjustment, stating, "In this scheme, I don't want to be 290. Probably want to be like 310-315. See what that's doing for you. If you have to go up [more in weight], go up."
Building Smith into a Defensive Force
Zimmer’s vision for Smith is clear: "Zimmer's plan is for Smith to play blocks more and use his hands and footwork correctly." This back-to-basics approach aims to harness Smith’s physical attributes more effectively, transforming him into a more consistent and potent force on the defensive line.
Smith’s personal commitment to his development is unwavering. "My whole career I've been a guy who could play in multiple schemes. I got the athletic traits to be an up-field guy, but I have the strength to play at the line of scrimmage and build a wall," he said. This versatility is what Smith hopes to capitalize on as he progresses through his professional career.
Support from Teammates
Smith's dedication and potential have not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Micah Parsons, a star on the Cowboys' defense, is particularly supportive. "It's not what I think he can be, it's what Mazi has to be. When you get to this business, there is no more of a choice or a can: it's either you will or you won't... We drafted him to be in the game. That's how much confidence I have," Parsons asserted, reflecting a high level of faith in Smith’s abilities.
Parsons further emphasized the importance of Smith’s development to the team's overall success, saying, "That's why I'm in his corner, I'm rooting for him and hoping to get him better every day... We need Mazi to be that great force. He can be a dominant player. It's just a will and mindset."
Looking Forward
Mazi Smith remains focused on his growth and making an impact with the Cowboys. "I kind of go over there with a clean slate. I want to write my story. I don't really set goals. Everybody wants to be an All-Pro. Everybody wants to be top five. I want to be the best me I can be," he states. With the right guidance and an unwavering work ethic, Smith aims to carve out a path that solidifies his place as a key player for the Cowboys.
Under Zimmer’s tutelage and with the backing of his teammates, the framework is in place for Mazi Smith to evolve into the impactful player the Cowboys envisioned when they drafted him. It’s a journey that promises to be watched closely by fans and analysts alike, as Smith’s story continues to unfold on the NFL stage.