Recent reports of the Dallas Cowboys working out UFL defensive tackles Perrion Winfrey and DeVere Levelston have sparked speculation among fans, with some interpreting the move as a warning shot to Mazi Smith, the team’s promising but unproven 1-tech defensive tackle. However, a closer look reveals this isn’t about doubt in Smith—it’s about smart roster management and insurance at a critical position.
Back on May 25, it became clear the Cowboys weren’t panicking about their defensive tackle depth. Unlike other teams, they didn’t chase high-profile free agents or make blockbuster trades to bolster the 1-tech spot. Instead, they waited until the seventh round of the draft to select Jay Toia, signaling confidence in their current roster—specifically, in Mazi Smith.
Smith, now entering his third year, logged significant snaps last season but didn’t produce eye-popping stats. Context is key: as a rookie, he was asked to shed 30 pounds and adapt to a role that diverged from his dominant days at Michigan. Year 2 was a period of adjustment, as he worked to rediscover his impact at one of the NFL’s most demanding positions: the A-gap-anchoring 1-tech defensive tackle.
Behind Smith, the depth chart is thin. Jay Toia and possibly Justin Rogers are the only other true 1-tech options. Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas, while disruptive as 3-techs, aren’t suited to anchor the A-gap. This lack of depth explains the workouts with Winfrey and Levelston—not as a threat to Smith, but as a competitive push to raise the floor at the position.
Bringing in Winfrey and Levelston is about due diligence. Winfrey, in particular, is an intriguing addition. A former fourth-round pick who dominated at Oklahoma, he has a pre-existing connection with Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton. Despite off-field issues derailing his early NFL career, his talent makes him a low-risk, high-reward option. Levelston, meanwhile, adds further competition, ensuring Dallas has contingency plans if Smith, Toia, or Rogers falter.
Contrast this approach with the Cowboys’ aggressive moves at offensive line. Throughout the offseason, they flooded the position with additions like Robert Jones, Saahdiq Charles, and Hakeem Adeniji, while also retaining T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman and drafting Tyler Booker at No. 12 overall. This signaled a clear intent to fix a glaring issue at right guard.
The lack of similar urgency at defensive tackle tells a different story: the Cowboys believe Mazi Smith can make a significant leap in 2025. If he does, he could answer the roster’s biggest lingering question: Can Dallas stop the run? A dominant Smith would solidify the defensive front, making these UFL workouts a footnote rather than a warning.
In the end, the Cowboys aren’t doubting Mazi—they’re insuring against uncertainty while betting on his potential to transform their run defense.