It isn’t often that defensive coordinator changes are analyzed through the eyes of a defensive tackle, but such has been the case the last two seasons for 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith out of Michigan. The combination of the Cowboys lacking at this position for a long time ahead of drafting Smith, not valuing it enough to spend the resources, and specifically needing a player in the run-stuffing mold of Smith created this immediate sense of urgency for the pick to hit, the first signs of which only just coming last season.
After slimming down to try and fit into the hybrid, attack the quarterback from all angles defense of Dan Quinn as a rookie, Smith was an obvious, more natural fit as a primary 1-tech under Mike Zimmer in year two.