Mazi Smith was inactive in Dallas’ opener as the Cowboys opened the season amid a blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay for Kenny Clark and two first-round picks, instantly reshaping the interior line. Clark anchors the middle, while Smith continues to be developed under coach Brian Schottenheimer, who demanded more consistency from the 2023 first-rounder.

Smith’s two-year output and low PFF grades underscore the growth still required. Inactive Friday: Jaydon Blue, Shemar James, Ajani Cornelius, Hakeem Adeniji, Trevor Keegan, with Perrion Winfrey sidelined by a back issue. The rotation figures to be volatile as Dallas adjusts to the new interior dynamic.

For fantasy, Smith’s value hinges on opportunity; Clark’s presence could compress immediate upside but unlock longer-term growth if Smith earns more snaps. Monitor snap counts and how the DL rotation settles in coming weeks as Dallas retools its defense around the Clark-Parsons reshuffle.