Mazi Smith
Mazi Smith
Mazi Smith has never played up to his draft capital, and the 2023 first-round pick has officially worn out his welcome with two separate NFL teams. Despite entering the league as the 26th-overall pick, the defensive tackle only made three starts as a rookie and didn’t do much of anything while on the field. In all, the rookie finished his inaugural season with just one sack, 13 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and three quarterback hits.
While he earned a starting job in 2024, he didn’t play any better with an increased workload. In total, Mazi Smith recorded just one sack, 41 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, three quarterback hits, and an abysmal 34.8 PFF grade, the 117th-best mark out of 118 eligible players. He appeared in just five games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 before the team added him as part of the Quinnen Williams trade.
A change of scenery can be great for some players, but Mazi Smith did not improve with the New York Jets. In total, he appeared in just three games without recording an official statistic, and New York decided that they’re better without him in 2026. While first-round picks generally earn more opportunities than some of their later-drafted peers, this could be the end of the road for the big defensive lineman.
Mazi Smith
| Source: Lastwordonsports.com - David Latham, Managing Editor
Mazi Smith Could Be Out of Options After Jets Release
The Last Word
Quite frankly, if Mazi Smith couldn’t justify a roster spot with the Dallas Cowboys or New York Jets, it’s hard to imagine any team that would give him a chance. The Dallas Cowboys had the league’s worst defense last year prior to the Quinnen Williams trade, and Dallas still decided they’re better without the former first-round pick. The New York Jets, meanwhile, had a historically inept unit that couldn’t force pressure and went the entire 2025 season without recording an interception.
Mazi Smith was never there to record interceptions, but he had a clear opportunity to establish himself on a defensive line that just lost its anchor in Quinnen Williams. Not only could he not earn a roster spot, but he couldn’t even justify a spot on the 53-man roster. Some other team will likely bring him on as a practice squad addition, but it’s hard to envision him seeing meaningful action any time soon.
Main Photo: Barry Reeger – Imagn Images