Mazi Smith Critics Yell 'Bust'; Cowboys Coach McCarthy Reveals Rookie's 'Need'

Dallas Cowboys rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith played long into the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks ... and his performance is drawing harsh criticism.

The Dallas Cowboys walked off the turf at Lumen Field on Saturday disappointed in the result, but a 22-14 loss in the preseason to the Seattle Seahawks hardly means much when your first-round pick is getting what he "needs." 

While other young guys sat, Cowboys rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith played well into the fourth quarter ... and to critics, his work left much to be desired. Against a solid Seahawks offensive line, Smith failed to register a tackle in the stat sheet on Saturday. 

Does that mean Mazi is, as social media is quick to claim, a "bust''?

Smith's absence in the the box score, combined with some views via "the eye test,'' raise some questions ... and with coach Mike McCarthy's postgame comments, there is suddenly room to wonder if the rookie is ready to be an immediate contributor to a talented Dallas defense.

"There's a reason why you sit the number of players that you do, and he's right there at the top of the list," McCarthy said. "He needs this work and that's another opportunity to go out against their first group. It's exactly what Mazi needs.''

The 6-3, 337-pound Smith is obviously new to the NFL, and will naturally need time to adjust to the pros and to coordinator Dan Quinn's system. Not everyone can be Micah Parsons, after all. Still, through two preseason games that certainly aren't meaningless for him specifically, he's failed to display the game-changing defensive resistance that's expected of him as a first-round pick.

Fans were even quick to point out his inability to stop the run, most notably on a 29-yard scoot from Seahawks rookie running back Zach Charbonnet in the first half.

Mazi Smith was ABYSMAL last night. Oh my God. pic.twitter.com/9SWYsdLYhi

— Haywood (@HimmyHaywood) August 20, 2023

But the two points can't be stressed enough: One, it's one play. And two, it's preseason. We'd be foolish to throw out the "bust" labels so quickly. At the same time, there's equal foolishness in thinking that the Cowboys shouldn't be expecting more out of their first-round pick; he was selected for the purpose of being a top-of-the-rotation player, and maybe even a starter.

Smith will get a chance to silence the unforgiving preseason critics when the Cowboys play their final exhibition game against the Las Vegas Raiders at AT&T Stadium on Saturday. ... and we work on the assumption that McCarthy will again opt to give Mazi more work ... to get him more ready.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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