The Dallas Cowboys thought they were drafting their next defensive cornerstone when they spent a first-round pick on Mazi Smith in 2023.
He seemed like a rare mix of size and athleticism — the type of player who could anchor a D-line for years. Two seasons later, that has yet to happen. Smith has shown glimpses of what made him such a coveted prospect, but questions linger about whether Dallas has truly figured out how to use him—or if he’s simply not the right fit for the defensive schemes that have cycled through since his arrival.
That uncertainty has opened the door for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs to take a long look.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report named his top 10 trade candidates heading into Week 1, and he has Smith at No. 3. He also has the Chiefs as a top trade partner.
More on the Idea of the Kansas City Chiefs Potentially Trading for Mazi Smith
After the Cowboys shocked the NFL world by trading superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, some think it could mean Dallas is ready to trade more players in a fire sale-type situation. Smith could be at the top of that list, too.
Knox thinks a 2026 fifth-round pick would be enough for Dallas compensation-wise to make a trade.
“Smith is now listed as a backup and could probably benefit from a change of scenery,” Knox wrote on September 3. The Cowboys, meanwhile, should be willing to listen to any reasonable offer for him since the 24-year-old doesn’t look like a long-term building block in Dallas. Is Smith the most proven player on our list? No, but he’s a young former first-round pick who plays a premium position and who should be available at a relative bargain.”
A Look Back at Smith’s Career So Far
GettyShould the Kansas City Chiefs try to trade for Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith?
Smith hasn’t been a total bust, but he hasn’t been the dominant presence the Cowboys envisioned, either.
Drafted 26th overall in 2023 out of Michigan, Smith arrived scary measurables: He’s 6-foot-3, 337 pounds, and has the agility of a player 100 pounds lighter.
His rookie season was mostly spent adjusting to the speed of the NFL. He played in all 17 games, starting three, finishing with 13 tackles and a sack. Year 2 was better. Under then-DC Mike Zimmer, Smith started all 17 games and amadsed 41 tackles (four for loss), three QB hits and another sack.
Now, he’ll have yet another DC in Matt Eberflus, and the roster around him has reshuffled a bit with the addition of Clark. That could very well make him expendable.
Should Kansas City Look Into Smith?
The Chiefs already have Chris Jones, the heart of their defensive front, but the depth chart behind him isn’t the greatest. Derrick Nnadi has been reliable as a run-stopper, but he’s on a short-term deal and doesn’t offer much upside. Same with Jerry Tillery.
The big-bodied Smith has strong hands and can be disruptive in the A-gap, and adding him would give Kansas City a developmental anchor who’d help Jones stay fresh.
The way Steve Spagnuolo structures his defense might also be a good thing for Smith, as Spags likes to mix heavier fronts without sacrificing the ability to unleash his pass rushers.
From a fiscal perspective, Smith’s contract is team-friendly—$3.62 million against the cap in 2025 with control through the fifth-year option. If all it would take is a fifth-rounder for Kansas City to trade for him, that would be a low-cost gamble on a player who still has untapped potential.
Sometimes, a change in scenery is all it takes for a talent like Smith to find his footing.
Chiefs Named Top Trade Partner for Cowboys 1st-Round DT