Mazi Smith gets Dallas Cowboys tattoo

The Cowboys drafted defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft after he had an impressive college career with Michigan. Unfortunately, his rookie season was pretty disappointing. Smith finished the year with just nine solo tackles, 13 total tackles, and one sack.

Of course, with rookies, there’s always a learning curve, but being a first-round pick means high expectations. This season, Smith has put on some weight and will have even more weight on his shoulders as he steps up as the Cowboys’ starting nose tackle. He’ll have Dallas’ newest signing, Jordan Phillips, right behind him challenging him for that spot as well, but he’s not worried about that, and in fact, sees it as a positive thing and looks forward to learning from the veteran.

“Yeah, I know all about Jordan Phillips,” Smith said. “He’s made a lot of plays. He’s a vet in this game and when you’re able to add that to the room, iron sharpens iron. That’s what you want. You want a room full of competition. You don’t want [any]body to relax. This is football, you know what I’m saying?”

Mazi Smith’s new Cowboys ink

Despite this only being his second season with the Cowboys, Mazi Smith got a new tattoo on his left arm - a big Dallas Cowboys star. Smith said he got the tattoo about two weeks before training camp.

“I’m working. Bought in. I love my opportunity that I’ve got here,” Smith said. “They’ve trusted me and put resources around me to do what I’m supposed to do. I’m forever indebted. The game of football has given me a lot. It’s given me a lot before I got to the NFL. When I got to the NFL, it’s just giving me more.”

In his limited snaps in the Cowboys’ preseason opener, Smith had some tackles for loss in the first quarter and played well until he was taken out in the second quarter. He will be a player to watch during Saturday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.