Cowboys urged to trade 1st-round pick with 'superhero ability'

The Dallas Cowboys might not have the right system in place to take advantage of one former first-round pick's "superhero ability."

That's how former defensive assistant coach Greg Ellis describes the situation for Mazi Smith.

The big defensive tackle was a first-round pick out of Michigan State in 2023. But there's concern as to whether he'll fit with new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Here's how Ellis explained things in a recent interview with DLLS Cowboys:

"With Maz, you do have to look at the coaching change. The year before we got there, it was more just vertical get up the field, get up the field, get up the field. Really not Mazi's game to be honest with you. I think he played better last year, he flashed some good stuff in my opinion. He kind of showed why the Cowboys drafted him and what they saw. Now, we switching up again and from my understanding, it's again more vertical charge, but hopefully, they factor something into the equation to allow Mazi's superhero ability to flash. If not, you may need to just trade him."

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Smith had just 13 tackles as a rookie. That increased to 41 tackles in year two.

He'd probably have some trade value if Dallas chose to move him. 

But it seems like the Cowboys will at least try to see what they can do with him first in the new system before moving on right away.

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