The Dallas Cowboys' hit rate in the first round of the NFL Draft is so high that it's hard to criticize them too much on the occasional misfire. If we had to pick, though, 2017 first-rounder Taco Charlton is the easy choice for the worst first-round selection in recent Dallas history.
Fortunately for Charlton, he didn't meet the criteria for a recent article Matt Holder of Bleacher Report that re-drafted the worst draft pick of every NFL team in the last five years. For the Cowboys, Holden went with 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, whom Dallas selected No. 26 overall.
"The Michigan product was drafted to help stop the run but has earned run-defense grades in the 30s from Pro Football Focus in his two seasons," Holden wrote.
Smith is undoubtedly the right pick. What is interesting, though, is that Holden has the Cowboys taking fellow defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, who originally went No. 49 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mazi Smith circled as Cowboys' worst draft pick in the last five years
"There might be better players who were drafted between Smith and Benton, but the Cowboys needed some bulk on the interior defensive line, and those two were similar prospects. However, Benton is the superior player and has shown more promise than Smith has in the pros."
Between EDGEs Nolan Smith and Keion White, defensive backs Brian Branch and Joey Porter Jr., and offensive lineman Steve Avila and Joe Tippman, the Cowboys could have selected a number of players who went after they picked Smith at No. 26.
Benton has been better rushing the passer than stopping the run, but again, Smith has been so underwhelming that Holden could have picked almost anybody in Smith's spot. At the end of the day, Benton has showed a lot more than the former Michigan standout.
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In two seasons, Benton's compiled 44 pressures, 16 quarterback hits, eight passes defended and 37 defensive stops, per PFF. He's also earned a combined 71.5 PFF player grade and a 77.8 pass-rush grade. Imagine if the Cowboys had that production next to Osa Odighizuwa?
Conversely, Smith has accumulated 16 pressures, six QB hits and 27 defensive stops to go with a 42.3 PFF player grade and a paltry 35.4 run-defense grade.
Is it possible that Smith turns a corner in year three? Sure. But it is equally, if not more, likely that 2025 seventh-round pick Jay Toia eats into his snap share by the middle of the season. It would not be shocking if this is Smith's last year in Dallas.
The Smith picked marked a rare instance that the Cowboys drafted for need instead of trusting their board. For whatever reason, nose tackle is one position that this front office has not been able to get right since former All-Pro Jay Ratliff, whose last season in Dallas was in 2011.