As the NFL’s roster cut deadline looms at 1:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, teams are scrambling to finalize their 53-man rosters, sparking a flurry of trades and releases. Amid this chaos, a bold trade proposal has emerged that could reshape the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive line while offering a lifeline to a struggling former first-round pick. The target? Mazi Smith, the Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 No. 26 overall draft pick, whose tenure in Dallas has been rocky but whose potential could be unlocked in Seattle.
Mazi Smith was drafted by the Cowboys with high hopes of bolstering their run defense. Yet, heading into his third season, the 6-foot-3, 337-pound defensive tackle has struggled to find his place. The constant churn of defensive coordinators in Dallas—three in three years—hasn’t helped. Smith’s skill set, built for anchoring the line and clogging running lanes, has been a poor fit for current Cowboys coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme, leaving him on the trade block. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees an opportunity for the Seahawks to capitalize, suggesting they could acquire Smith for a modest fifth-round pick.
For Seattle, the move addresses an immediate need. With veteran tackle Johnathan Hankins sidelined indefinitely by a back injury, the Seahawks’ interior defensive line is dangerously thin. Enter Mike Macdonald, Seattle’s head coach and a familiar face from Smith’s college days at Michigan in 2021. Macdonald’s system, which emphasizes stout run defense and versatile fronts, could be the perfect environment for Smith to rediscover the form that made him a first-round talent. Barnwell notes, “Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald worked with Smith when the two were at Michigan in 2021,” highlighting the potential for a seamless reunion.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, seem ready to cut their losses. Despite Smith showing flashes of brilliance late in the 2024 season under former coordinator Mike Zimmer, Dallas has played him extensively in the preseason—a sign he’s not in their long-term plans. As Barnwell points out, “There’s not really a direct replacement for Smith on the active roster, but if the Cowboys don’t think he will be used regularly, they might prefer to save the $4.5 million remaining on his deal and move on.” A trade could also allow Dallas to quietly move past the optics of giving up on a first-rounder, especially if paired with a high-profile announcement like a contract extension for star edge rusher Micah Parsons.
For Seattle, this is a classic low-risk, high-reward gamble. A fifth-round pick is a small price to pay for a player with Smith’s physical tools and upside, especially in a system tailored to his strengths. His late-season flashes in 2024 suggest he can thrive when used correctly, and Macdonald’s familiarity with his game could unlock that potential. If the Cowboys sweeten the deal by covering part of Smith’s salary, the trade becomes even more appealing.
As the NFL’s roster deadline approaches, the Seahawks have a chance to turn Dallas’ disappointment into their gain. Mazi Smith may have been a misfit in the Cowboys’ ever-changing defense, but in Seattle, he could be the key to fortifying a defensive front in desperate need of reinforcement. Will the Seahawks pull the trigger on this high-upside reclamation project? Only time will tell, but the stage is set for a trade that could redefine both Smith’s career and Seattle’s season.