Trades between two teams in the same division are not very common in the NFL. But that didn’t stop Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox from linking the Washington Commanders to defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Knox included the 24-year-old on his NFL trade block big board entering Week 3. Despite Smith playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Knox named the Commanders one of two potential suitors for the defensive tackle.
The arrival of Kenny Clark via the Micah Parsons trade has essentially made Smith an afterthought. The fact that Dallas has a (mostly) new coaching staff this season does nothing to brighten his future with the franchise,” wrote Knox.
“However, Smith is a 6’3”, 337-pound defender, and size can’t be coached. He’s also just 24 years old and has two years remaining on his rookie contract. Teams looking for a rotational run-stopper or even a project to develop for the future should be willing to take a flier on him.
The Cowboys should be willing to listen to any reasonable offer.
Knox’s conclusion seemed to suggest that the Cowboys should listen to “reasonable” offers even inside the NFC East.
Dallas drafted Smith at No. 26 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Smith started 20 games in his first two seasons, including all 17 contests during 2024.
But to begin this season, Smith has been on the Cowboys‘ inactive list the first two games.
Why Mazi Smith Could Fit With the Washington Commanders
Smith might be more of a project than Knox suggested.
According to the Pro Football Focus player grades, Smith was a worse run defender than pass rusher during his 17 starts last season. The young defensive tackle also struggled as a run defender in his rookie season.
Overall, Smith posted a 34.8 PFF player grade (out of 100) in 2024, which was obviously well below average. He had a 47.2 PFF player grade with fewer snaps as a rookie.
PFF isn’t the end all, be all, and NFL teams don’t use it to determine trade value. But with those grades in mind, Smith might not even be worth the sixth-round pick Knox proposed he could fetch for Dallas.
For the right price, though, the Commanders are still an intriguing potential landing spot for Smith.
Through two games, Washington is middle of the road in pressure rate and sacks this season. The Commanders could add Smith as an immediate rotational pass rusher. As a rookie, Smith was a good pass rusher according to PFF.
Smith is also under contract for 2026, which would give Washington the opportunity to develop him as a run defender.
The Cowboys defensive tackle has rare traits. So, Knox is likely correct that teams such as the Commanders could be interested in taking a flier on Smith.
“Smith’s blend of size and quickness is rare. He can punch and control a base block with relative ease,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote before the 2023 NFL Draft. “However, he struggles to match the initial movement of move blockers, which diminishes his effectiveness.
“Smith’s size and testing could give his draft slotting some juice but he’s more of a Day 2 talent with exciting upside than a plug-and-play starter.”
Will the Commanders Get an Opportunity at Cowboys’ Smith
It’s not at all a stretch to argue the Cowboys will shop Smith before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. The question, though, is if Dallas will allow a division rival to take a flier on the defensive tackle.
The reward isn’t really worth the risk for the Cowboys in that situation. In Knox’s trade scenario, they would only receive a sixth-rounder for a former No. 26 overall pick. Then, the Cowboys would have to live with the fact he might help a division rival.
One of the last things Dallas should want to do this fall is help Washington. The two teams could compete for the NFC East crown and/or wild card positioning this season.
That could make a Smith trade to the Commanders unrealistic.
If Washington is willing to pay a premium for the defensive tackle, then a Smith trade inside the NFC East will make more sense for the Cowboys. However, it’s unlikely the Commanders will want to overpay too much.
A big part of the appeal with the Smith trade proposal for Washington is the fact he’s “a flier.” He’s not a flier if the draft pick to get him isn’t a late Day 3 selection.
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