Re-examining expectations is an important part of the evaluation process. It recalibrates the narrative and helps set future expectations. For slow-growing players like Mazi Smith, it offers winable games in constant scrutiny.
The elephant and scarlet letters in the room are certainly biased assessments of Smith’s draft race and the immediate expectations that ensued. As the 2023 first-round draft pick, Smith came to the Dallas Cowboys with high expectations. He is the draft prospect for a major football program in Michigan and adds icing on the cake. Smith is an unexplored passer, but he has a strength, determination and athletic image, which seems nothing more than a bump in the road.
Apparently his shortcomings as a pass stormtrooper proved to be a much bigger problem than anyone expected, and his difficulties were down, leaning against obstacles and stopping the run was just as troublesome. Smith's first year was a bust.
In his second season, expectations changed. For those outside the organization, Smith is no longer seen as a budding star, but a person who is just trying to spin. Internally, expectations have changed, but they continue to be high. The Cowboys separated from top 1 tech defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and essentially handed the starting work to Smith. It was a great opportunity for the player at the bottom of the league a year ago, but drafting his team's statement of faith and expectation.
Smith showed improvement in his second NFL season, but he undoubtedly had no expectations given the role the Cowboys asked him to play. For the second time in many seasons, Smith was named one of the worst internal defensive linemen in the NFL, struggling to maintain his gap, stop running or provide pressure. He tried hard to walk on the snapshot again, and he found it was almost impossible to recover.
The Cowboys once again pushed Smith into a key role this season. Although he struggles in all areas of the game, he is a favorite to start next to DT's OSA ODIGHIZUWA in 2025. Dallas may add a senior 1-Tech to the combination between now and training camp, but the player may be just a rotation.
The expectation is not that Smith will suddenly lead the NFL into internal pressure, become a professional bowler overnight, or the second arrival of Maryland. Expect him to be the source of highlights, or suddenly grading in the often problematic IDL grading process of Pro Footbox Focus. The expectation is that Smith will become the player with average starting ability in 2025.
According to the first two seasons of work, these are lofty expectations, but expectations remain the same. The Cowboys asked Smith to live up to his lineage and achieve what his athletic image shows he can achieve. They need Smith to keep the stout on the run, keep the front of the pocket in the pass situation and play like an asset rather than responsibility.
Is this too much?
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