The 2024 NFL season was a pivotal year for Mazi Smith.
Despite only being drafted in 2023, Smith entered Year 2 on thin ice following an abysmal rookie performance. The former Michigan Wolverine struggled to live up to the hype stemming from being a first-round pick, mostly due to a mixture of the Cowboys forcing him to lose a ton of weight and failing to play to his strengths on the gridiron.
Having said that, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s arrival was supposed to help turn Smith’s trajectory around this season. Unfortunately, Zimmer — who’s helped develop several talented defenders throughout his career — hasn’t had much luck with the struggling 23-year-old.
Smith entered Week 18 as PFF‘s fifth-worst graded interior defender with an overall defense grade of 36.0. If that wasn’t grim enough, the Southfield, MI native’s 49.0 pass rush grade is the third-worst mark among eligible players at his position.
Although Smith had a few bright spots in the middle of the season, he’s regressed in recent weeks, leaving many to wonder if he’ll ever live up to his potential. He’s still young enough to turn his career around theoretically, but it’s possible that the Cowboys have seen enough and are willing to give Smith a fresh start elsewhere.
