Cowboys take tackle over tight end in 2023 NFL Draft

With a glaring need at the tight end position, most mock drafts had the Cowboys taking Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer with the 26th pick. Instead, they went with Michigan DT Mazi Smith. Did they make the right move?

This year, the Athletic’s Bruce Feldman put Smith at the top of his annual College Football Freaks List. At 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds, Smith is regarded as one of the strongest prospects in the draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had Smith rated as the third-best defensive tackle while Todd McShay ranked him fifth.

Pro Football Focus sees Smith as a true hold-the-point nose tackle. He won’t generate many sacks, but his size and strength should be a welcome addition to a team that gave up the 11th-most rushing yards per game in 2022.  Smith needs to improve his technique, but the Cowboys believe his explosive hands will allow him to shed blocks and make plays in the backfield.