Mazi Smith's rookie year with the Dallas Cowboys was a season marked by significant adaptation and unyielding dedication. The transition from college to the NFL is often daunting, and for Smith, a defensive tackle drafted with high expectations, the learning curve was steep.
Rookie Year Challenges
Smith played in all 17 regular-season games during his rookie year, showcasing his durability and commitment. Over the course of the season, he amassed 13 tackles, one sack, eight quarterback pressures, and three tackles for loss. However, his participation dwindled in the postseason, logging only four snaps in the NFC wild card round playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. This limited playing time highlighted some of the challenges Smith faced in adapting to the professional game.
Smith's rookie struggles were compounded by considerable changes in his body weight. Listed at 337 pounds during his college career at Michigan, he weighed 323 pounds at the 2023 NFL Combine. But to fit into former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's scheme, Smith's weight dipped below 300 pounds. This drastic adjustment appeared to affect his on-field performance significantly.
Weight Adjustments and a New Scheme
With Mike Zimmer stepping in as the new defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, there are plans to remedy this situation. Zimmer anticipates allowing Smith to return to a more substantial playing weight, aiming for Smith to play around 310-315 pounds under the new scheme. Zimmer's vision for Smith involves playing blocks more and using his hands and footwork correctly.
"Zimmer noted Smith lost a lot of weight when he joined the Cowboys and struggled last year. Zimmer's plan is for Smith to play blocks more and use his hands and footwork correctly," shared Zimmer. These adjustments come with the hope that a return to a more natural playing weight will help Smith leverage his strength and skillset more effectively.
Smith echoed these sentiments, emphasizing his desire to train purposefully within the new scheme. "I did everything I was supposed to do and did nothing but train. Everything in my power. Control the controllables. 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," Smith explained.
Support from Team Leaders
Micah Parsons, a cornerstone of the Cowboys' defense, expressed confidence in Smith's potential. "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 emphasized.
Parsons' belief in Smith is grounded in both talent and necessity. "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," he added, highlighting the importance of mental strength and determination in Smith's development.
Mazi Smith’s Mindset
Smith's approach to his second season is refreshingly realistic. "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 stated. Smith's flexibility as a player is a crucial asset in adapting to different defensive schemes and responsibilities.
Looking forward to the upcoming season, Smith is focused on taking control of his own narrative. "I kind of go over there with a clean slate. I want to write my story. I don't really set goals. Everybody want to be an All-Pro. Everybody want to be top five. I want to be the best me I can be," he expressed, underscoring a resolve to establish his presence on the field meaningfully.
Zimmer's approach for Smith starts with the fundamentals. "He was trying to be an attacking three-technique to get up the field. ... Obviously, he was a high draft pick. I heard that he kind of struggled last year, so we're gonna start with the basics. Get him in a good stance, get him using his hands the right way, getting his footwork the right way and then go from there," Zimmer articulated. This back-to-basics strategy is intended to rebuild Smith's confidence and prowess on the defensive line.
As Smith enters his second season with the Cowboys, the combination of a reinforced physical stature, a supportive team environment, and a back-to-basics training approach provides a solid foundation for potential growth. With the weight of his rookie season lessons behind him, Mazi Smith aims to emerge as a dominant force in the Cowboys defense, embodying the resilience and skill expected from a high draft pick.