NFL Draft

Cowboys 1st-Round Pick Mazi Smith: 'I Don't Even Like Football; I Like Hitting People'

The rookie defensive lineman has no time for trash talk when he's on the field.

Luke Easterling

Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports
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The Dallas Cowboys spent their top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on a disruptive force for the interior of their defensive line in Michigan's Mazi Smith, and he's wasted little time making his presence felt during his first NFL training camp.

A dominant presence for the Wolverines, Smith is expected to help the Cowboys improve their rushing defense, thanks to his impressive combination of size, power and athleticism.

He's also making it clear that he's got no time for trash talking on the field, preferring to keep his mind on the task at hand: Destroying the person who has the misfortune of being lined up across from him:

Best of luck to any opposing offensive lineman who tries to stand between Smith and the ball-carrier.

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Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

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