After the conclusion of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys surprised many with their outside-of-the-box thinking. The Cowboys took an unsexy, yet very sensible approach with their first pick at 26, selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Smith is a player that will instantly improve the Cowboys’ interior run defense and All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons vehemently approves.
The All-American Michigan defender had the second-highest athletic score among defensive tackles with 90 according to NFL Next Gen Stats. There were rumors that the Cowboys fielded calls about possibly trading out of their spot, but the team held steadfast as two of their divisional foes made a few trades on the first night of the draft.