It is hard to imagine Mazi Smith’s NFL career starting off much worse than it has for the Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle. The franchise now faces a decision on Smith’s future after an underwhelming preseason.
Smith’s performance has Cowboys fans reminiscing about past high draft picks like Trysten Hill and Taco Charlton. Both players were abruptly cut by Dallas prior to completing their rookie contracts.
Could Smith be the next in line to make unfortunate Cowboys history as a former first-round pick looking for a new team? Find out why the pressure is on Smith as the defender faces an uncertain future in Big D.
Here’s what you need to know about Smith’s future with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys Selected Mazi Smith With the No. 26 Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
Smith was the No. 26 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft following a standout college football career at Michigan. The defensive tackle started all 17 games for Dallas in 2024 posting 41 tackles.
USA Today’s K.D. Drummond is among those projecting the Cowboys will release Smith. The defender is not among the 53 players who are projected by Drummond to make the Cowboys final roster.
“This projection does not include DT Mazi Smith, who we are predicting will either be traded or released,” Drummond wrote in an August 23, 2025, story titled, “Cowboys initial 53-man roster projection: Recent 1st-rounder cut, Diggs activated from PUP.”
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Previously Pointed Out Young Defenders Should Get at Least 3 NFL Seasons
The latest projections have the following defensive tackles making the final roster: Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, Perrion Winfrey and Jay Toia. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously indicated that young defensive lineman should be given at least three years to develop before evaluating their NFL future, pointing to legendary head coach Tom Landry’s philosophy.
“Don’t ever give up on a defensive lineman, the big guys, until you’ve seen them for three years,” Jones said in December, per Fort-Worth Star Telegram’s Nick Harris.“Because they can really evolve and be a different player after three years.
