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Jay Toia (UCLA) and Tommy Akingbesote (Maryland) Compete for $13 Million Star's Defensive Tackle Spot

Dallas, TX – May 16, 2025

Two Dallas Cowboys rookies, Jay Toia from UCLA and Tommy Akingbesote from Maryland, are emerging as potential contenders to replace Mazi Smith, the team’s 2023 first-round pick with a $13.2 million contract, at the defensive tackle position, according to ESPN sources.

Mazi Smith, selected 26th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, is under significant pressure after two disappointing seasons. In 2024, Smith posted a dismal 34.7 PFF overall grade, ranking 207th out of 219 eligible defensive tackles in the NFL. He recorded 41 tackles, 1.0 sack, and 4 tackles for loss across 17 starts but failed to force or recover any fumbles. This lackluster performance has put his spot in the starting lineup in jeopardy, especially after the Cowboys signed Solomon Thomas in free agency and drafted two defensive tackles in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft: Jay Toia (pick 217) and Tommy Akingbesote (pick 247).

Jay Toia, standing at 6-foot-2 (1.88m) and weighing 342 pounds (155kg), is a run-stopping powerhouse. At UCLA, he played in 50 games, amassing 91 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks, helping the Bruins’ run defense rank 6th nationally in 2024. Toia excels in strength and absorbing double-teams, creating opportunities for his teammates. “Run-stopping is my biggest strength,” Toia said after being drafted by the Cowboys.

Meanwhile, Tommy Akingbesote, at 6-foot-4 (1.93m) and 306 pounds (139kg), brings versatility and explosiveness from his basketball background. At Maryland, he recorded 32 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack in the 2024 season. Akingbesote is known for his power and aggressive play style. “I bring toughness every time I step on the field,” he declared after joining the Cowboys.

Currently, the Cowboys’ run defense ranks 30th in the NFL with a PFF grade of 48.0. Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton has been tasked with developing Toia and Akingbesote, who are expected to add toughness to the team’s interior line. Beyond Smith, the two rookies will also compete with players like Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, and Justin Rogers for playing time.

If Mazi Smith fails to improve in the 2025 season, the Cowboys may trade or release him, paving the way for one of these young rookies to claim a starting role. With determination and thorough preparation, Toia and Akingbesote are poised to prove they can replace a $13 million star and bolster the Cowboys’ defense in the upcoming season.

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Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!