The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday afternoon, and the rumors are flying.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones even went on the radio and teased multiple trades on Monday. Nothing has been officially announced, but it's clear the Cowboys are looking to make multiple moves.
The team definitely needs to make moves on defense. Only the Cincinnati Bengals were allowing more points and yards per game than the Cowboys entering Week 9.
However, the Cowboys could also move some of their players already on the roster. One of these players is former first-round pick Mazi Smith. Smith has never lived up to his first-round draft status, and he was a healthy scratch for the Monday Night Football game in Week 9.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz pointed out that those around the league believe this is a clear indication that Smith is available ahead of the deadline.
"The Cowboys have former first-round DT Mazi Smith as a healthy inactive tonight, and he’s viewed around the NFL as a player available on the trade market before Tuesday’s 4:00 PM ET deadline, per sources," Schultz explained.
So far in 2025, Smith has appeared in five games and has just three tackles. The defender has been unable to stand out and is buried behind Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa, and Solomon Thomas on the defensive line depth chart.
It's disappointing considering it seemed like Smith may have taken a step forward last year. Smith started in all 17 games in 2024 and ended with 41 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack.
That still wasn't the production the team expected when it used a first-round selection on him, but it seemed like a positive development. Now, the defender is back to being a healthy scratch and it seems like his days in Dallas are numbered.
There could be several teams willing to take a chance on Smith. Defensive line depth is coveted, especially for contending teams. The Cowboys definitely wouldn't get an early-round pick for Smith, but they could probably land a mid-to-late-round selection.
It's also possible Smith could be included as part of a larger trade if the Cowboys swing a deal for an edge-rusher or defensive back.
NFL trade rumors