The Dallas Cowboys are desperate to shake off the bitter taste of a lackluster 2024 season, and they’re banking on a fresh start to ignite a turnaround. With Brian Schottenheimer stepping in as the new head coach and a slew of new faces joining the roster through free agency, the NFL Draft, and trades, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in Big D. But for all the shiny new additions, the Cowboys know they can’t lean solely on rookies and newcomers. The veterans—those who’ve been wearing the star for a couple of years—need to step up and deliver. And no one embodies that pressure more than former first-round pick Mazi Smith.
The 2023 first-rounder out of Michigan has been a lightning rod for criticism, failing to live up to the lofty expectations that come with his draft pedigree. Now entering his third year, Smith’s lackluster performances have fans and analysts alike questioning whether he’s cut out for the NFL spotlight. The Cowboys are hoping new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus can unlock the potential that made Smith a first-rounder, but early signs in the 2025 preseason are far from encouraging.
In the Cowboys’ second preseason game, a 31-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on August 17, 2025, Smith’s struggles were laid bare. According to Dallas Morning News reporter Calvin Watkins, the defensive tackle managed just half a tackle in 28 snaps. That’s a marginal improvement from his Week 1 performance against the Rams, where he recorded zero tackles, but it’s nowhere near the impact expected from a player of his caliber. For a team preaching execution, effort, and playmaking in the preseason, Smith’s stat sheet is a glaring red flag.
Mazi Smith had no tackles vs. Rams, half a tackle against Ravens (28 snaps).
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 17, 2025
Cowboys fans, already restless after a disappointing 2024, took to social media to voice their frustration. They see Smith as a potential cornerstone for a defensive line that struggled mightily against the run last season. Yet, his inability to make an impact in the preseason has only amplified doubts about his ability to anchor the trenches.
What sets Smith apart from other underperforming draft picks is his willingness to own his shortcomings. After the Cowboys’ first preseason game, Smith didn’t mince words when reflecting on his performance, as reported by Patrik Walker. “I just have to keep getting better. The first [preseason game], I wasn’t happy with at all, to be honest. I didn’t do anything,” Smith admitted. “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. There’s expectations, and all that. This is my third year.”
Smith’s candid self-assessment is both refreshing and alarming. On one hand, his honesty shows a level of accountability that could serve as a foundation for growth. On the other, it’s a stark admission that he’s yet to justify the faith Dallas placed in him when they drafted him 26th overall. For a player who started all 17 games in 2024 after just three starts as a rookie, the lack of production is a troubling trend.
The Cowboys aren’t asking Smith to transform into a sack machine overnight. Their defensive scheme, now under Eberflus’ direction, prioritizes stopping the run and generating pressure to disrupt opposing offenses. If Smith can shore up the middle and collapse pockets, he could become the linchpin Dallas needs to fix their porous run defense from last season. But with Week 1 of the regular season just weeks away, time is running out for Smith to prove he’s more than a draft bust.
The pressure on Smith mirrors the broader expectations for the Cowboys in 2025. After a season that fell short of their Super Bowl aspirations, the franchise is under a microscope. Schottenheimer’s new regime, combined with a revamped roster, has raised the stakes. For Smith, the path forward is clear: translate his self-awareness into on-field results, and fast.
Mazi Smith’s journey from first-round promise to preseason disappointment is a storyline that resonates far beyond Dallas. It’s a reminder of the fine line between potential and production in the NFL. With the regular season looming, all eyes will be on Smith to see if he can harness his physical gifts and silence the doubters. The Cowboys—and their fans—are counting on him to step up, not just for his own career but for the team’s hopes of a deep playoff run.