Former Cowboys Round 1 Pick Named 'Worst Player' at OTAs
Frisco, TX – June 3, 2025
In a shocking development at the Dallas Cowboys’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Mazi Smith, the defensive tackle selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has been labeled the “worst player” on Day 3 of OTAs, according to a report from ESPN Dallas. Smith’s struggles are a significant blow to the team’s expectations, especially as the Cowboys desperately need to bolster their run defense, which has been a glaring weakness.
Mazi Smith’s Poor Performance
According to local reporter Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas, who spoke with multiple sources at the practice, Smith ranked dead last among defensive linemen participating in the OTA session. Watkins stated, “I talked to over 15 people who were at the OTA. The consensus was that Mazi Smith wasn’t just underwhelming—he was the worst player on the field that day. He was outshined by both rookies and veterans.”
Smith, drafted 26th overall in 2023 out of Michigan, was expected to be a cornerstone in addressing the Cowboys’ run defense woes. With an imposing frame (6’3”, 337 pounds), he was heralded for his strength and potential in college. However, over two seasons, Smith has recorded just 3 sacks and 34 tackles, a disappointing output for a first-round pick. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), he ranked 207th out of 219 defensive linemen in the 2024 season with an overall grade of 34.7, while the Cowboys’ run defense was the NFL’s fourth-worst, allowing 2,331 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns.
Fierce Competition from a Rookie
Smith’s struggles at OTAs are magnified by the standout performance of Jay Toia, a defensive tackle selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of UCLA. Toia, standing at 6’2” and 342 pounds, has been given first-team reps during OTAs, a clear sign of the coaching staff’s confidence in his potential. Bleacher Report listed Toia among the standout rookies early in OTAs, describing him as “a classic, powerful nose tackle who absorbs blocks, resets the line of scrimmage, and frees up teammates to make plays.”
A source from The Landry Hat noted, “Toia is turning heads. He’s outperforming Mazi in run-stopping drills, and it’s raising questions about whether Smith can hold onto his spot.” The fact that a seventh-round pick like To
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