Mazie Smith NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for the DL – Bleacher Report for the Dallas Cowboys, BR’s Scouting Division
People love Smith’s themes, but aren’t sure if he’s a plug-and-play newbie
Much of Smith’s lack of production is down to his passing – or lack thereof – and getting off the ball faster will solve a lot of his problems as a running and pass-taking defender. Michigan had two gaps a lot, which could hinder the initial speed of a defensive lineman, but he was still slow on the ball, even when hacked or hacked.
The Wolverine is more attributes and tools than a finished draft, but it will be hard to find more defensive tackles with more potential than he has, which means his best football could be right in front of him.
Schematically, Smith would be best as a 0-2i on the odds or doubles fronts, and would likely play as a triple-style if he added some speed down the line. It’s just a matter of how patient teams are willing to be with him that a team hoping for a defensive tackle to make an immediate impact might look elsewhere.
Positives
A unique combination of size, strength and athletic ability. It holds its frame well too, with little to no weight to bad.
– Tons of strength in his hands to stand up to the attacking men on point attack. He can control mass fairly easily, and his upper body strength will occasionally allow him to recover if he gets beat up against a run initially.
passives
– Late reaction to the snap and doesn’t have much initial velocity towards the ball. This may become a big problem against scooping blocks and get to the next level.
– He is slow to raise his hands as a fast defender, which will expose his chest and can cause his shoulders to deflect against combo blocks.
2023 NFL Draft: How Michigan NT Mazi Smith Fits In With The Dallas Cowboys – PFF, John Owning
He’s just the athletic type who shines in Quinn’s defense.
After years of largely ignoring the nose tackle position, the Dallas Cowboys are finally making a big investment among the A’s gaps in their defense, selecting Michigan’s nose tackle Mazie Smith with the No. 26 overall pick.
Despite being listed north of 335 pounds, Smith is one of the best athletes in this draft class, regardless of his position, as evidenced by the fact that he was ranked #1 on Bruce Feldman’s “College Football Freaks List” prior to the 2022 season.
Impressively, Smith plays with a good slate level despite his size, which enables him to take advantage of his bulky lower half to hold his ground at point offense and swallow gaps against runs. The recruits pairs with the former four-star class who has lower-body strength Deontay Wilder Esq The power is in his hands, routinely clubs Offensive linemen on contact, putting himself in a great position to easily stack and throw blocks against running backs. Smith’s 11.6% run rate ranked 15th among all inside linebackers in college football in 2022. Furthermore, note how Smith consistently plays from a solid, rooted base, enabling him to maximize his power input at the point of offense , which would be his catalyst in capturing and defeating the NFL’s singles and doubles teams.
Many will lament Smith’s late exit as a reason to empty his stock, but that ignores the fact that Smith has been playing read-and-response as a heading defender on the majority of his shots. Instead of shooting off the ball and breaking through his hole as a shaded defender, he was tasked with copying and controlling blocks to help Michigan fill all the necessary gaps while playing light boxes. Put Smith in Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s scheme, and Michigan’s defensive tackle style will enable him to shine.
Cowboy Break: DT Mazie Smith – “Strong Force!” Drafted by Dallas in the first round – Cowboys Country, Mike Fisher
Many thought the tight end would don a white, silver and blue cap by the end of the night.
FRISCO — On Thursday afternoon, Dallas Cowboys sources told CowboysSI.com that they are considering Michigan defensive tackle Mazie Smith at “steal level” as a second-round pick, with Dallas picking the 58th overall. …but maybe also worth To be man number 26.
Instead of a tight spot for Michael Mayer, who was still on the board, Mazie Smith is the pick.
Dallas would be welcome to have a tight end who “can do it all,” and after losing Dalton Schultz via free agency to Houston TxAnother addition to the room makes sense. Shows Mayer’s production last season Fighting Irish (809 yards and 9 touchdowns) It could be a viable option Duck Prescott’s passing game.
But Dallas coordinator Dan Quinn’s unit would love to get a defensive tackle from Michigan who lives in the offensive backfield and is the best defender in college football. Dallas is already armed with the firepower most of the NFL would envy in Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorrance Armstrong, Sam Williams and Dante Fowler. But is the playmaker a defensive tackle based on a single technique? That will come in handy.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Mazie Smith with pick #26. Grade: B+ – touchdown wire, Doug Farrar
early grade in.
The Cowboys had a genuine need for an inside hole jack with penetrating potential in the middle of the Dan Quinn defense, and Smith certainly fit that bill. Smith is more than just a big guy who absorbs blockers so others can shine—at his best, he can break down offensive lines himself, and he brings Dontari Poe to mind as a quick, nimble guy who should boost everything the Cowboys want to do with their rushing passes, and add So much against running. Smith can also field well, and the Cowboys are doing a lot of that under Quinn. The new DC should also be able to bring more juice to Smith’s game.
Height: 6 2¾” (35 percent) Weight: 323 (87)
Bench press: 34 reps (88)
Arm Length: 33¾” (70)
Hand Size: 9¾” (37)
‘Sick to my stomach’: Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons has a funny reaction to the Eagles with Jalen Carter – USA Today, Chris Bombaka
The rivalry shows even on the night of the draw.
Not only Philadelphia Eagles General manager Howie Roseman hit one of the most highly praised first-round moves during the first round of the NBA 2023 NFL Draft By trading one pick to take defensive end George Galen Carter.
He also made a competitor in “Sick” on a live broadcast.
Dallas Cowboys full back Micah Parsonswhich appeared on Thursday’s Bleacher Report coverage, was a reaction to the selection of the Eagles – who was originally slated to be 10th overall from New Orleans Saints and exchanged with Chicago Bears Once they reached the clock – with disgust.
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