Mazi Smith learning technicalities from Dallas Cowboy's coaches in minicamp
Mazi Smith wasn’t able to do much work on the defensive line during minicamp for the Dallas Cowboys. However, that doesn’t mean that the rookie wasn’t able to show flashes of what he can eventually be.
In an article for ESPN, NFL Nation writers updated the position of all the first-rounders of the 2023 NFL Draft. When it came to Smith, Todd Archer wrote about he is making his presence felt by simply taking note of and learning all of the technical and schematic things that he’s been given by Dallas’ coaching staff so far.
“The Cowboys did not do any 11-on-11 work during the organized team activities or minicamp, so making any judgment on Smith is difficult. So much of what he will do is about his size (6-3, 325) and strength,” Archer wrote. “But what the offseason work allowed Smith to do was learn what the coaches will want from him technically. And they have said he has picked everything up fast. He has a willing mentor in veteran Johnathan Hankins.”
From there, Cowboys G Zack Martin added what he has noticed from Smith so far. He discussed all the ways in which he should be a great addition by the time he really gets to show it in training camp.
“You can tell on tape, for a big man, [Smith] bends extremely well and obviously very strong. Everyone knows that,” said Zack Martin to Archer. “He’s going to be a great addition to our team. We should have some good battles in training camp.”
Over three seasons with Michigan, Smith finished with 89 tackles. In his final campaign, he posted his best statistical finish with 49 tackles overall with a sack and forced fumble.
That was enough for Dallas to decide to draft the former four-star and Top-100 recruit out of Grand Rapids with the 26th overall pick.
Again, Smith, by no fault of his own, could only do so much to impress his new franchise considering most of the work is hands off. Even so, he made enough of an impression through his willingness to learn. That trait should make him even better for Dallas by the time training camp in Oxnard.
Mike McCarthy shares first impressions of Mazi Smith at OTAs
As Mike McCarthy was recovering from a back procedure during the Cowboys’ rookie minicamp, OTAs have been the first opportunity for the Dallas skipper to check out first-round draft pick Mazi Smith in action.
The 6-foot-3, 337-pound defensive tackle is everything McCarthy thought he’d be so far, but admitted that OTAs aren’t where Smith will really shine.
“No doubt (meeting expectations),” McCarthy said on Thursday. “For a guy like Mazi, you can’t wait to see him in pads. He’s ready to show everybody.
“We said this during the evaluation process. We feel there’s a lot more pass rush potential than he showed in his college career. He’s off to a really good start.”