The Dallas Cowboys may have stumbled upon a hidden gem in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and it could spell trouble for 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith. Jay Toia, a 6-3, 335-pound rookie nose tackle, is already turning heads at OTAs, reportedly taking reps with the first-team defense inside The Star, as noted by CowboysCountry.com. This unexpected development raises a critical question: Is Toia more pro-ready than Smith, or is this a calculated move by new coach Brian Schottenheimer to light a fire under the underperforming Mazi?
A Seventh-Round Steal with Elite Potential
Toia’s draft slide to the seventh round had little to do with his talent and everything to do with the NFL’s current obsession with pass-rushers over traditional run-stuffing nose tackles. In a league that’s gone pass-happy, the 1-tech position—where Toia thrives—has been devalued. But don’t let his draft position fool you. If Toia had two extra inches of arm length, he’d likely have been a Day 2 pick. In a different era, when run-stoppers ruled the trenches, he might not have been available at all.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) rated Toia as the highest-graded run-stopper in his draft class, and his tape backs it up. He’s a brick wall at 335 pounds, nearly immovable, with a relentless motor and a knack for clogging up running lanes. Add to that his NFL bloodline—Toia comes from a family of trench warriors, giving him an innate understanding of the game’s physical and mental demands. He walks, talks, and breathes interior defensive line play.
The Cowboys’ Defensive Tackle Dilemma
The Cowboys’ defensive tackle room is in a state of flux. Under defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, the team prioritizes violence, penetration, rotation, and relentless energy. Whitecotton wants fresh legs and interchangeable pieces who attack rather than absorb blockers—a philosophy that aligns perfectly with Toia’s skill set. But the front office’s offseason moves, or lack thereof, raise eyebrows. Dallas didn’t aggressively pursue defensive tackles in free agency, and they waited until Round 7 to draft Toia. This could signal confidence in Mazi Smith—or a risky gamble that’s now being tested.
Smith, a 2023 first-rounder, has yet to live up to his draft pedigree. Meanwhile, second-year man Justin Rogers, who’s essentially a rookie given his limited experience, rounds out a trio of 330+ pound bodies alongside Toia and Smith. The Cowboys typically carry at least four defensive tackles, sometimes five, to survive the NFL’s grueling season. In years past, they leaned on aging veterans like Jonathan Hankins and Linval Joseph to plug gaps. Now, Toia’s emergence could shift that dynamic entirely.
Schottenheimer’s Mind Games?
Is Toia’s early run with the first team a sign of his readiness, or is it “Schotty-psychology” at work? Schottenheimer has made competition the cornerstone of his offseason, and giving Toia first-team reps could be a subtle way to push Smith to “play mad.” The Cowboys’ coaching staff knows the defensive tackle position is one of the toughest transitions for rookies, second only to quarterback. Most young DTs struggle to contribute early, but Toia’s unique pedigree and physicality might make him an exception.
If Toia isn’t ready to take Smith’s spot outright, who else can Dallas rely on to mentor this young group? Veterans Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas are well-respected within the organization and across the league, but both are 3-techs—penetrating pass-rushers rather than true run-stoppers like Toia. Their skill sets don’t fully align with the nose tackle role, leaving a mentorship gap in the room.
A Shift in NFL Philosophy?
The NFL’s devaluation of the 1-tech may be starting to shift. As teams face more balanced offenses, the need for dominant run-stoppers like Toia could come back into vogue. For now, his value to Dallas is undeniable. The Cowboys desperately need to shore up their run defense, which has been a weak point in recent seasons. If Toia can translate his college dominance to the pros, he could be a game-changer.
What’s Next for Toia and Smith?
The early OTA buzz around Toia doesn’t guarantee he’ll supplant Smith, but it’s a wake-up call. If Toia continues to impress, he could force the Cowboys’ hand, reshaping the defensive tackle rotation. For Smith, the pressure is on to prove he’s the long-term answer at the position. Whether this is a genuine changing of the guard or a motivational tactic, one thing is clear: Jay Toia is a name to watch in Dallas.