Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys are facing a make-or-break season. After the 2023 season ended in disappointment, Jerry Jones made the decision to run it back one more time with the current core.
While they’re back for another run in 2024, Jones isn’t going to accept failure again. Coming up short of his expectations this season would likely result in roster overhaul and coaching changes.
Keeping that in mind, players will need to perform up to their potential. They will truly be playing for their jobs this season.
Dallas Cowboys Young Player Facing Immense Pressure in Year Two
Quite a few players are facing major pressure to improve and put together a big year in 2024. One of those players is 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith.
Pro Football Focus name-dropped Smith as a player who is facing pressure to produce in his second season.
“Dallas drafted Smith — decried as a reach by some at the time — in the first round to finally solve the weak underbelly the team’s defense had against the run over the past few years. Smith weighed 323 pounds at the NFL Combine, and the one thing he excelled at in college was stuffing the run and anchoring the middle of the line. The Cowboys inexplicably then asked him to drop a ton of weight and seemed confused when he made little impact as a rookie … The Cowboys know they need more from him in 2024, with Jerry Jones himself saying he has to do a lot better in Year 2.”
During his rookie season last year, Smith ended up playing in 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys. He ended up totaling 13 tackles and one sack. Those numbers did not live up to expectations.
Smith, standing in at 6-foot-3 and almost 340 pounds, will need to up his game in 2024.
There is no denying the talent and potential that Smith possesses. Dallas saw that potential, which made them select him at No. 26 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Now, he needs to show it on the field.
The 2024 season is going to be pressure-packed for almost every player on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster. If the team doesn’t win, Jones will have a rough response.
