Adaptation and Determination: Mazi Smith's Rookie Year with the Dallas Cowboys
The journey of a rookie in the NFL is often defined by overcoming obstacles and learning the ropes of the professional game. For Mazi Smith, his inaugural season with the Dallas Cowboys epitomized this experience. Smith's rookie year was a season of significant adaptation, underscored by relentless effort and adjusting to the high expectations set by the Cowboys' coaching staff.
In his first year, Mazi Smith played in all 17 regular-season games, demonstrating his durability and commitment. Over the course of the 2023 season, he recorded a modest but respectable stat line—13 tackles, one sack, eight quarterback pressures, and three tackles for loss. However, his presence in the critical NFC wild card round playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers was limited to merely four snaps, a stark indicator of the challenges he faced.
Adapting to the Rigors of the NFL
Smith's transition from college to the NFL required significant physical adjustments. During his college career at Michigan, Smith was listed at 337 pounds. By the time he weighed in at the 2023 NFL Combine, he had trimmed down to 323 pounds. Yet, in a bid to fit into Dan Quinn's defensive scheme, his weight dipped further below 300 pounds. This drastic change in physicality impacted his performance, as noted by the newly appointed defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer.
"Zimmer noted Smith lost a lot of weight when he joined the Cowboys and struggled last year," said Mike Zimmer. "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."
Under Zimmer's new direction, there is a plan to allow Smith to return to a more substantial playing weight, targeting a range of 310-315 pounds. This aligns with Smith's own aspirations: "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."
Embracing a New Scheme
The change in the defensive scheme offers Smith a chance to leverage his natural abilities more effectively. "Zimmer's plan is for Smith to play blocks more and use his hands and footwork correctly," Zimmer emphasized. "My whole career I've been a guy who could play in multiple schemes," Smith added. "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."
As Smith embarks on his sophomore season, he does so with a clean slate and renewed determination. "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," Smith shared.
The Promise of Growth
The potential and promise that Smith brings to the Cowboys are echoed by his teammates. Micah Parsons, a cornerstone of the Dallas defense, expressed his unyielding support for the young player. "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 stated. "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."
As the upcoming season looms, the Cowboys and their fans hold high hopes that Mazi Smith will tap into his full potential, benefiting from the strategic changes in the defensive scheme and the expertise of Mike Zimmer. With his dedication and the unwavering support of his team, Smith's evolution as a steadfast force on the Cowboys' defensive line seems not just a possibility but a burgeoning reality.