Through the first half of the 2025 season, the Dallas Cowboys have faced relentless scrutiny over their defensive struggles, and with every passing week, it has become increasingly clear that changes are not just necessary—they are urgent. The team currently ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every defensive category, sitting 31st against the pass, 29th against the run, and 31st in points allowed per game, a trifecta that underscores just how deeply flawed this unit has been. The Cowboys’ inability to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks has only compounded matters, with just 15 sacks through eight games, a number that is alarmingly low for a team that has invested heavily in its defensive line in recent drafts. Fans and analysts alike have been vocal about the need for immediate improvements, and the spotlight has increasingly fallen on one player who has failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him: Mazi Smith, the 2023 first-round pick from the University of Michigan.
Smith’s journey in Dallas has been fraught with challenges from the outset, starting with questions about his physical profile. Entering the league at around 330 pounds, Smith was considered a raw talent with tremendous potential but in need of refinement. The Cowboys’ front office, intent on maximizing his upside, asked him to shed approximately 30 pounds in an effort to improve his explosiveness and versatility, aiming to mold him into a defensive tackle who could anchor the run and provide occasional interior pass-rush pressure. Unfortunately, the results have been disappointing. Smith’s weight reduction did not translate into the hoped-for burst off the line, nor did it significantly improve his impact in either run-stopping or pass-rushing scenarios. Now back at his natural playing weight, he continues to struggle, and the gap between his potential and his production has become glaringly apparent over the last two and a half seasons.
This situation is emblematic of a larger systemic issue within the Cowboys’ defensive infrastructure. The team has cycled through three defensive coordinators in as many years, leaving players like Smith with little continuity in coaching philosophy or scheme. While coaching instability can be a mitigating factor, it does not fully explain the lack of impact from a player drafted with first-round expectations. The defensive line, as a whole, has underperformed, failing to win one-on-one matchups at the line of scrimmage and leaving linebackers and secondary players exposed. This lack of pressure has allowed opposing quarterbacks to operate comfortably, rendering the Cowboys’ defense ineffective and leaving the team reliant on the offense to compensate—a strategy that rarely yields sustainable success over a full season.
Compounding Smith’s struggles is the broader context of the Cowboys’ 2023 draft class, which has largely underwhelmed relative to expectations. Of the team’s seven selections that year, only three remain on the roster: tight end Luke Schoonmaker, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, and Mazi Smith himself. Schoonmaker has provided value as a blocking and receiving option, while Overshown has developed into a rotational contributor. Smith, however, represents the most significant disappointment, a first-round investment that has yet to justify the resources expended in selecting him. This underperformance has not only hindered the defensive line’s effectiveness but has also slowed the team’s overall rebuild, delaying the progression of a unit that desperately needs impact players to compete in the NFC East.
Given these realities, the argument for trading Smith grows stronger by the day. There is a long-standing principle in the NFL that first-round picks are valuable, but only if they can contribute on the field. In Smith’s case, the window for developing him into a cornerstone player seems to be closing. A trade offers the Cowboys an opportunity to recoup some value, whether in the form of draft capital, a rotational contributor, or even a player who better fits the current defensive scheme. NFL teams are often willing to take a chance on a so-called “bust” if the player possesses physical traits that could flourish in a new environment. Smith’s combination of size, length, and raw athleticism remains intriguing, and a fresh start in a different system could allow him to unlock the potential that has eluded him in Dallas.
Of course, executing such a trade is not without challenges. Smith’s production, or lack thereof, naturally suppresses his market value, and teams may hesitate to invest heavily in a player who has struggled to make an impact despite significant resources and coaching attention. Furthermore, integrating a midseason acquisition into a defensive system is rarely seamless, particularly for a player whose prior performance has raised questions about consistency and readiness. Nevertheless, there is precedent for such moves yielding unexpected results. Players who falter in one environment can thrive elsewhere, especially when given clear role definitions, tailored coaching, and renewed motivation. A calculated trade for Smith could therefore be a win-win, providing the Cowboys with assets while offering the player a chance to rejuvenate his career.
Timing, however, is critical. Waiting until the offseason could diminish any remaining trade value, as free agency opens up a larger pool of defensive linemen and reduces urgency among potential suitors. Acting now—before the trade deadline or shortly thereafter—affords the Cowboys leverage to maximize whatever return they can extract. Midseason trades also provide the opportunity for the acquiring team to integrate Smith into its rotation in real-time, potentially addressing immediate needs while giving the player a clear runway to demonstrate value. Delaying this decision could result in the team simply releasing Smith without compensation, a scenario that would yield nothing for a high-investment draft pick.
Trading Smith would also allow the Cowboys to signal to the rest of the roster and the fanbase that accountability matters. The NFL is a league built on performance, and the inability of a first-round pick to contribute as expected sends ripples throughout the locker room. By moving on decisively, management can reinforce the culture of competitiveness and emphasize that roster spots are earned through production, not potential alone. Such a move could galvanize other players, while also allowing coaches to redirect attention to individuals who are currently impacting games and can help stabilize a defense desperately in need of identity.
From a narrative standpoint, Smith’s story is not entirely one of failure. There is still the potential for redemption, both for him and for Dallas, albeit in separate contexts. For Smith, a trade to a team with a clear role for him, a compatible scheme, and effective coaching could unlock the skills that have been dormant. For Dallas, acquiring even modest assets in return provides the flexibility to address other pressing needs, whether that be through supplemental draft picks, positional upgrades, or additional depth for a defense that has struggled to establish itself. The strategic calculus is clear: the longer the team waits, the lower the potential return, and the greater the risk of leaving resources unrecouped.
On the human side of the equation, trading Smith would likely be bittersweet. He has been part of the Cowboys’ organization for more than two seasons, and the adjustment to a new city, new coaches, and new teammates is never trivial. However, in the NFL, pragmatism often trumps sentimentality. Teams must make decisions that optimize their chances of winning now and build toward sustainable success in the future. For Smith, the trade could be an opportunity for rejuvenation, a chance to become a player he was projected to be, while for Dallas, it is an acknowledgment that initial plans do not always materialize and that adaptability is essential for long-term competitiveness.
It is also worth noting that the Cowboys’ current defensive woes extend beyond Smith. The lack of pass rush, inconsistent run defense, and struggling secondary have all contributed to a record that threatens playoff contention. Addressing the defensive line through trades or free-agent acquisitions is paramount. While Smith represents just one piece of a much larger puzzle, moving on from him can serve as the first step in retooling a unit that has underperformed relative to expectations. In this sense, the decision to trade Smith is both tactical and symbolic, demonstrating a commitment to proactive roster management.
Looking ahead, the lessons of the Smith experiment are clear. High draft capital alone does not guarantee impact; player development, scheme fit, and realistic expectations are equally critical. While Smith’s raw tools are undeniable, the inability to translate physical talent into consistent on-field production has limited his contributions and slowed the defense’s overall growth. The Cowboys must now apply these lessons to future drafts, ensuring that evaluations account not just for measurable traits but also for how a player will fit into a specific system and culture.
In conclusion, the time has come for the Dallas Cowboys to act decisively regarding Mazi Smith. The combination of underwhelming performance, systemic defensive struggles, and dwindling trade value creates a scenario in which a proactive trade is the most sensible course. By moving Smith, the Cowboys can recoup assets, free up roster space, and signal that accountability and production are non-negotiable. For Smith, a new environment could provide the fresh start necessary to realize the potential that has so far gone untapped.
Ultimately, this situation is emblematic of the high-stakes nature of the NFL, where potential must be matched by results, and difficult decisions are a prerequisite for sustainable success. The Cowboys’ defense cannot afford to wait, and neither can the organization’s broader competitive aspirations. Trading Smith is not just a pragmatic move; it is a statement of intent, a commitment to doing whatever is necessary to restore credibility, consistency, and competitiveness to a once-proud defensive unit. The clock is ticking, and action cannot be delayed.
