OXNARD, CA — Just one year ago, Mazi Smith was hailed as the future of the Cowboys’ defensive interior — a first-round pick with elite strength and sky-high potential. But fast forward to this year’s training camp, and the buzz around him has taken a strange turn.
According to multiple insiders, Smith has struggled to find consistency, falling behind in rotation reps and drawing questions from fans and analysts alike. One NFC scout reportedly said:
“You expect Year 2 to be a jump. With Mazi, people are still waiting.”
Some sources hint at lingering recovery issues from last season’s injury, while others believe conditioning and scheme fit may be playing a bigger role in his slow start.
Even more curious? The Cowboys have quietly increased reps for lesser-known interior linemen — and some believe Dallas could be prepping a shake-up up front, especially if Smith doesn’t flash soon.
Is this just a slow ramp-up before the breakout? Or is the former first-rounder already facing a prove-it stretch to lock in his role?
The talent is there — but time might not be.
