Saints 2023 Draft Prospect: Mazi Smith
The New Orleans Saints defense ranked a lowly 24th against the run in 2022. It was their worst performance against the run since 2015. Three different opponents rushed for over 200 yards against them, while another five managed over 145 yards.
Many of those struggles can be attributed to the defensive tackles. Opponents were often able to gash the Saints right up the middle because the tackles were pushed around consistently. The position has also produced little in the pass rush, accounting for only 14.5 of the team’s 94 sacks in the last two years.
Free agency saw the departure of starting tackles David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle, with Kentavius Street signing elsewhere weeks later. New Orleans answered that by signing tackles Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders and re-signing Malcolm Roach for depth.
Shepherd and Saunders add size and athleticism to the interior, but I expect the Saints to add more inside bulk in the draft. Defensive tackle is considered one of the deepest positions in this year’s draft, with today's profile being near the top of that list.
DT - Mazi Smith
Michigan (Jr.)
6'3" 323-Lbs.
Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mazi Smith (58) tackles Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Donaven McCulley (0). © Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
After reserve duty in 2020, Smith has been a major piece of one of college football's most physical defenses the last two years. His presence accounted for 85 total tackles in those two seasons, including six stops for loss and a half sack. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big 10 in 2021 and 1st Team All-Big 10 to close out his Wolverines career.
Smith didn't participate in drills during the NFL Scouting Combine, but showed off some freakish athleticism at his Pro Day. He was explosive in on-field drills and recorded a vertical jump of over 29 feet and an 8'11" broad jump.
Despite his size and athletic ability, Smith didn't make a lot of big plays in opposing backfields. He'll need to develop a faster first step at the snap for a better advantage against blockers. He rarely gets pushed around by double teams, but also hasn't often shown the ability to slip past them.
Smith possesses a rare combination of size, strength, and athletic ability. He's able to play nose tackle in a 3-4 front or create interior havoc in a 4-man front. Unable to be moved off point by either single or multiple blockers, he creates an absolute wall in the middle.
A space-eater along the interior, Smith clogs inside rushing lanes just due to his size and power. He also has quick feet to fluidly slide laterally to cut off options for opposing backs. His tremendous upper body strength also pulls blockers off balance for teammates to make plays.
Smith showed little as a pass rusher in college. However, he has a powerful forklift move that pushes blockers back and collapses pass pockets. He also has a potentially lethal swim move if refined with improved quickness at the snap.
Once in the open, Smith has good closing burst to the ball. You won't often see him chase a play down the field, but Smith has surprising speed in sideline-to-sideline pursuit, making backs pay dearly for cutting back or hesitation.
Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith (58) pressures Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14). © Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Few teams were able to run against the Michigan Wolverines the last two seasons, especially inside. Mazi Smith was much of the reason for that. He's a big-bodied presence that the Saints have been missing in the middle of their defense.
Smith should be selected between the back half of the Round 1 and middle part of the second round. His limitations as a pass rusher might relegate him to early downs and short yardage to start his career, but he has tremendous disruptive upside. At the very least, Smith has the skills to be the dominant interior run defender that the Saints sorely lacked in 2022.
