ORLANDO, FL — At the annual league meeting in Orlando, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that 2023 rookie defensive tackle Mazzi Smith and tight end Luke Schoonmaker each had plans to play in the offseason. He said he is not expected to participate in OTAs or minicamp for the next several months due to shoulder surgery.
The first- and second-round picks will be joined as second-year players by third-round pick Demarvion Overshorn, who tore his ACL in the 2023 preseason when he arrives at training camp in July. He will be returning from injury.
“Maji had shoulder surgery,” McCarthy said. “He's in the rehab phase right now. He's definitely one of those players who needs to make a big leap in his second year and I think he'll do that.”
Smith rotated with veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins during his rookie season, but now that Hankins has left the organization after signing with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, Smith has a big chance to take the next step. It's coming.
However, his rookie season was marred by inconsistency and weight loss, with his weight just shy of 300 pounds a cause for concern. It's a clear step forward for the coaching staff heading into their second season, but confidence remains.
“I'm looking for Maji to take that step, but I make no bones about it,” McCarthy said. “Now, just looking at the dynamics of the room, obviously we're going to add to that room, but there's going to be a lot more opportunities in front of him.”
In his rookie year, Smith had 13 tackles in 17 games, including three for a loss and one sack. He was given three starts in December in place of Hankins, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.
”[Smith] “Last year was a big adjustment for him, so I think a lot of things go into the transitions they make,” he said. He's not immune to it. Now he will have a better plan and we need to help him with that plan so he can get to the right weight and stay there.
Soonmaker arrived in Dallas last offseason with a plantar fascia issue in his foot, missing time in rookie minicamp, OTAs, and part of training camp, and his second year with a shoulder issue. is scheduled to be rehabilitated. His surgery was performed last week and he is on track to not miss any on-field time.
The second-round pick out of the University of Michigan had eight receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season.
