Mazi Smith's journey as a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys has been rocky, with struggles evident in his first two NFL seasons. Despite being a first-round pick, his performance has not met expectations, as reflected in his low run-defense grades. Under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, there's hope for improvement. The Cowboys' previously inadequate run defense means that Smith's ability to perform effectively is critical going forward. He faces a pivotal year in 2025, as failure to improve could see him part ways with the Cowboys by 2026. The defensive line's changes, including new faces like Payton Turner and Solomon Thomas, may further influence Smith’s performance and the team's run-stopping capabilities.