The Dallas Cowboys defense had a dominant 2022, ranking as one of the NFL's top-five scoring defenses (20.1 points per game allowed, fifth-best in the NFL). With their 26th overall pick, owner and general manager Jerry Jones gifted defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a player who could be the mi sing piece for his defense, a run-stuffing defensive Stan Musial Jersey tackle in Michigan's Mazi Smith. The Cowboys were the NFL's 12th-ranked total defense (330.2 total yards allowed) despite being the eighth-best pa s defense (200.9 pa sing yards per game. Their run defense hampered them all year long, ranking 22nd on the ground (129.3 rushing yards per game allowed).The pick screams "needs-based" Jordan Hicks Jersey instead of "best player available" as players at potentially more impactful positions like edge rusher (Georgia's Nolan Smith and Clemson's Myles Murphy), cornerback (Penn State's Joey Porter Jr.) and tight end (Notre Dame's Michael Mayer) were also available to Dallas. Yes, starting defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is 31 years old and on a one-year contract, but after the Cowboys and have hit home runs on each of their last three first-round picks (Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons, and offensive lineman Tyler Smith), Dallas had higher expectations for this pick. Although given the magic Quinn has worked on this defense the last two seasons, Smith could easily become a solid contributor sooner rather than later for the Silver and Blue. "Smith is another one of my favorite players. He's a power player who can hold up against Daniel Ponce De Leon Jersey the run, but I think he will be a better pa s rusher than people expect. He just needs to keep his weight in check." DAL DL #58 Age:21Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan:No. 50 overall | No. 5 DL|84.13 rating (Long-term starter)NFL comparison TB DT #50 Mazi Smith is one of the most athletic NTs to enter the NFL in a while. Not compact, but tall and wide. His flashes of pa s-rush ability are outstanding; push-pull, arm over, straight bull rush all very solid, although he's not a bulldozer pushing the pocket. His leverage isn't great. He does adequate planting roots against doubles teams, but it's not a specialty. His run-stopping is mostly contingent upon him using his Vince Coleman Jersey athleticism to get to the ball. He's not a tremendous block-shedder right now. However, he tracks down RBs very well for being a large NT. He won't be an every-down player in the NFL, but his physical profile and pa s-rushing refinement make him a fun NT prospect.StrengthsTall, thick frame; unique for the NT spotVeteran-caliber pa s-rush moves to win up the fieldHas the athleticism to get to RBs in close quarters, and has a large tackling radiusWeakne ses Could get a tick strongerLeverage is very high for an inside Harrison Bader Jersey rusher, which saps his powerNot a tremendous block-shedderCombine ResultsBench Pre s: 34 reps2022: Consensus first-team All-Big Ten2022: Michigan Defensive Player of the Year