After spending three seasons with the team, the Dallas Cowboys could look to trade former first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith before the 2025 campaign. According to a report, the Cowboys might be willing to send Smith in a trade since the team is switching to a new defensive scheme under Matt Eberflus. Smith did show some promise at the end of the 2024 season, but it might not be enough to secure his starting job, especially after giving another defensive tackle, Osa Odighizuwa, a contract extension. The defensive tackle has been failing to live up to expectations the other two years with Dallas, and it only becomes difficult for him to make a “comeback” since he will have to be a part of a new system.
Smith has been the subject of rumors this offseason as far as a release, since he might not have much trade value. The Cowboys might pull off a late-round draft pick at most, but no one should expect the team to get like a second-round pick while sending Smith to a new team. Originally selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, the former Michigan product had just 13 tackles in his rookie year, only totaling 41 in his sophomore campaign. It’s hard to imagine any team would be looking to acquire him in a trade, being that he’s been unproductive, but these 4 teams could target him if he becomes a free agent.
Breaking: Cowboys Could Trade Former First Round Bust Mazi Smith – 4 Suitors Emerge
Next Possible Teams
Baltimore Ravens
Other than Nnamdi Madubuike, the Baltimore Ravens need a major makeover in the trenches unit. Despite signing John Jenkins as a way of replacing Michael Pierce after his retirement, the Ravens could use a long-term defensive lineman. Smith might have been unproductive in Dallas, but when Baltimore has a winning defense every season, it’s hard not to step up your game, and Mazi could do that if the Cowboys are open to trading him.
New Orleans Saints
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints have been putting all of their focus on upgrading the defensive line after recently signing Jonathan Bullard to a deal. Despite trading for Davon Godchaux, the Saints could use another defensive tackle to help Nathan Shepherd, who came off his worst year last season. Smith might not eat up all the snaps, but it’s better to have plenty of defensive depth when the expectation is that your offense won’t be intact under the first starting season under quarterback Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler.
Los Angeles Chargers
If any defense can bring out the best in Smith, it’s the Los Angeles Chargers. Evidence was shown that when Poona Ford spent one season under Jesse Minter’s guidance, he turned explosive, but they weren’t able to retain him. It’s hard to imagine they walk into this 2025 campaign with Da’Shawn Hand, Teair Tart and Otito Ogbonnia, so they should at least invest in an unproven talent, and that could be Smith on a rotational basis.
Carolina Panthers
After building a capable pass offense for quarterback Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers have been slowly upgrading their defense. Since they signed Bobby Brown and Tershawn Wharton, they could use more bodies in the defensive line to make Derrick Brown feel comfortable in his return. Smith won’t drastically change this defensive pass-rush, but could make this Panthers unit more explosive in getting after the quarterback.
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