By Alex Al-Kazzaz
And so with the 26th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Mazi Smith, defensive tackle, University of Michigan. A pick with certain MIXED reactions, but certainly a pick that could very well be beneficial for Dallas.
The last time Dallas drafted a defensive linemen in the first round was in 2017. It was Taco Charlton out of Michigan. Dallas infamously snubbed TJ Watt to draft Charlton. Charlton lasted a little over two seasons with Dallas and failed to live up to expectations. Dallas is seriously hoping that fate doesn't repeat itself.
Dallas struggled against the opposing run last season. With the selecting of Smith, Dallas may have just made big positive move to bulk up their defensive line. It's clear that Dallas must find a way to stuff the opposing running game. And the way to do it is to add talent to that line. It seems Micah Parsons played a major role in this pick.
As far as this pick goes, the Cowboys may have hit a home run. With Smith having a lot of potential as a pass-rush too, Dallas may have added a weapon that they've needed for a very long time. Perhaps Smith's ability to excel in the pass-rush is the reason Parsons instructed Dallas to select him.