Like many teams around the league, the Cowboys sent a strong message in free agency. However, they did not add a large number of players or keep most of their own players. What is clear for the Cowboys is that they are willing to give opportunities to the young players on the team.
There are a number of players on this roster who are still on their rookie contracts but have yet to have a breakout season. Will there be one this year too? There's only hope for the Cowboys, especially considering they only signed one player in free agency (Eric Kendricks) and only have six picks in the NFL Draft later this month.
Therefore, the Cowboys will have to rely on some past draft and free agent signings to fill out this roster.
Today we continue our series on defensive tackle Maji Smith.
- name: Maji Smith
- position: defensive tackle
- experience: 2n.d. Year
- Games played/started: 17/3
- Remaining years of contract: 3 (plus 5)th-2027 option)
- how to get: 1cent-Round pick, 2023 (Michigan State)
- Key statistics: Smith had just 13 tackles last year, ranking him 19th.th Among the Cowboys defensive players.
past: It's no exaggeration to say that Smith's rookie season was disappointing. The mere fact that he didn't make a huge impact is to be expected from a first-round pick, especially for the Cowboys, who have taken 10 of the last 13 first-round picks. At least one Pro Bowl. Smith joins Taco Charlton and Morris Claiborne as the only first-round picks not to accomplish that feat since 2010. Apparently, the jury still found Smith not guilty just one year later, but what's surprising is that he wasn't successful. Smith finished the year with just one sack and three tackles for loss.
the current: The Cowboys lost two defensive tackles to free agency, including starters Jonathan Hankins (Seattle) and Neville Gallimore (Miami). Defensive tackle has a big opportunity right now, but what will be tough on Smith in 2024 is a shoulder injury that required surgery in the offseason. As such, he will likely miss much of the offseason, and his return will likely be close in time for a full participation in training camp. How Smith rehabilitates this injury this offseason will be crucial. Even if he misses OTAs or minicamp, just attending meetings to learn Mike Zimmer's new defense should be a top priority for Smith.
future: That's a tough question to answer for Smith, who already seems to be at a crossroads early in his career. Sure, he just signed a four-year deal with a fifth-year option in 2027, but he wasn't that impactful as a rookie and is currently dealing with a shoulder injury and will likely not be available this offseason. He will probably be absent. And while there's still a big debate about his playing weight, it's affected by his injury now, which is sure to affect his conditioning. So the future is now for Smith, who is entering his second year with a lot to prove. One of the things he strives for, especially when he gives his all, is just “strength”. Former teammate Hankins said Smith was one of the strongest players he ever played with, and that was in training camp, before Smith had even played a game. Regardless of the weight of the play or the defensive setup with Zimmer, Smith has a chance to make a difference if he can use that strength to his advantage. If that happens, Smith still has plenty of time to develop into the talented player the Cowboys hope he will be.
