NFL Preseason: This 1st-round pick has plenty to prove in Cowboys exhibition finale

Mazi Smith has had a lot to prove this summer. Not only did the former Michigan defensive tackle struggle with weight, performance and reaction time last season, but he contributed less than any Dallas rookie first rounder since the Bill Parcells era.

Recovering from that course would require a strong offseason, a healthy training camp and a fruitful preseason. The first two categories earned checkmarks in the affirmative. The last one, the preseason games, remain in “pending” status.

Smith missed the Cowboys’ last preseason game with an allergic reaction. The fluke event appeared to have no lingering effects, but the opportunity was missed. Smith enters Dallas’ final preseason game with just 20 snaps of game action on film this summer. He’s improved but still has plenty to prove.

Smith’s conditioning is understandably in question. Playing on the defensive interior is no easy task. The 1-tech DT position demands effort every snap and requires its players to play every snap like it’s their last.

Against Los Angeles Smith looked improved but also certifiably gassed. The Cowboys partially addressed this situation by adding the veteran Linval Joseph to the rotation. At age 35, it’s unknown how much Joseph can spell Smith at the 1-tech spot. Joseph only contributed 161 defensive snaps for Buffalo last season and hasn’t logged more than 200 snaps since 2021. He’ll help but he can’t be expected to take on much more than a minority role.

It’s on Smith to prove he can play like a starting DT in 2024. It’s also on him to show he has the physical endurance to play the lion’s share of the snaps. If he can’t offer the endurance to stay on the field, his effectiveness as a player is significantly capped.

In the Cowboys final preseason game against the Chargers, it will be interesting to see how many consecutive snaps Smith can play and whether or not his effectiveness wanes as the snap count increases. It’s the last box to check before the Cowboys roll into the regular season and remains one of the biggest question marks on the Cowboys 2024 defense.

An offer for Cowboys fans

For the best local news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Austin American-Statesman.

$1 for 6 months