Defensive lineman Mazi Smith was a healthy scratch for the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, which was the latest blow to Smith’s lackluster career.
Unfortunately for Smith, it doesn’t appear things are going to get any better in Week 2, when the Cowboys will host the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on Sunday.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones was a guest on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning and revealed that the Cowboys would go with the same approach along the defensive line this week, which suggests Smith won’t suit up once again.
“Jerry Jones indicated on [105.3 The Fan] that the Cowboys will go with the same look at DT this week vs. the Giants, which means no Mazi Smith. Jones said he’s excited by what he’s seen from 7th round pick Jay Toia,” ESPN’s Todd Archer relayed.
A former first-round pick of the Cowboys in 2023, Smith has not even come close to living up to expectations. He started in all 17 games last season and came away with 41 combines tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack.
Smith posted Pro Football Focus grades of 34.8 overall, 35.9 in run defense and 49.6 in the pass-rush, which ranked 207th, 201st and 209th, respectively, among interior defensive linemen.
To his credit, Smith hasn’t been afraid to admit his struggles.
“I just have to keep getting better,” Smith said. “The first [preseason game], I wasn’t happy with at all, to be honest. I didn’t do anything. I just need to keep learning the scheme and keep getting off the ball.”
“I just didn’t do anything, you know? Like, you gotta do something. I’m a first-round pick,” he added. “There’s expectations, and all that. This is my third year.”
At this point, Smith’s days in Dallas are numbered.
There’s really no use keeping him around if he’s just going to be a healthy scratch every week. The Cowboys will almost certainly look to trade Smith first, and getting a seventh-round pick for him would amount to a win.
Whatever the case may be, the Cowboys need to end the Smith experiment and fill his roster spot with someone who might actually contribute.
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