Cowboys DL coach comments on Mazi Smith's progress despite meager stats

The Dallas Cowboys used a first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Mazi Smith, a defensive lineman out of Michigan. However, through six games, he’s yet to make a major mark in the box score. Despite that, defensive line coach Aden Durde is happy with his progress.

Durde, who has been with Dallas since 2021, explained that the NFL game is different from the college one and that Smith is still making adjustments.

“I think we sometimes take it for granted when you come in the game as a first-round pick, the pressure that’s on you,” Durde said. “But the game is a lot different, the way they get told plays. A lot of them, they’re getting like 80 snaps a game, the plays move fast, the coordinator’s telling them, they don’t have to listen to communication.”

Mazi Smith was one of the most feared defensive players in all of college football during his time at Michigan. Now, he’s splitting snaps on the defensive line in Dallas. In fact, he hasn’t played in more than 22 defensive snaps in a single game for the Cowboys.

“Now, all of that’s changed. You get into a huddle, someone gives you the communication, you line up, now what am I getting? These things are changing, I think, and as we’re going through this, Mazi’s growth and understanding of how to play the game at that level is growing. You can see week in [and] week out, he’s making marginal gains, and that’s what it’s about. He’s around a good group of players, he’s in a position where he can grow and he’s in the right place. He’s doing good.”

Aden Durde is happy with the success that Mazi Smith has made, even if he’s making less than one tackle per game this season.

Ultimately, the goal is to improve as the season goes on and to this point, that’s exactly what Mazi Smith has done.

Micah Parsons ‘super excited’ to see Cowboys rookie Mazi Smith be dominant

The Cowboys have one of the NFL’s best pass rushes, in large part because of Micah Parsons on the edge. His skill-set is going to open up opportunities for players like Mazi Smith to thrive. That’s something that Parsons is excited to see happen for Smith.

“I think Mazi is coming along great,” Parsons said. “I think mid-season, late in the season, we got a chance to see Mazi be dominant. I’m super excited for him. I can’t wait to see that.”