Athletic Profile
Height: 6030
Weight: 337 LBS
Arm Length: 33 3/4”
40 Time: N/A
10 Yard Split: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Relative Athletic Score: N/A
* Indicates Recorded At Pro Day
Statistics
2022: 25 PRESSURES / 1 SK / 32 RSTOP
2021: 21 PRESSURES / 1 SK / 21 RSTOP
Pros
Play Strength
Punch Power
Excellent Leverage in the Run Game
Read and React Skills
Cons
Pash Rush Production
Quickness
Length
Summary
Mazi Smith is a thick bodied and powerful run stopping defensive lineman. Smith lines up as a 3T for the majority of his snaps where he uses his powerful lower half and strong hands to be an impact run defender. Smith is not the quickest or the fastest but he plays with outstanding leverage at the point of attack. His powerful hands allow him to shed lineman with ease and fill gaps in their place. Smith uses his natural leverage and length to bench opposing lineman and give himself space to read and react. There are reps where he stands up too straight in order to peak in the backfield and gets worked back off the ball by double teams. Smith uses his power and hand strength to make an impact as a pass rusher where his bull rush really stands out. Outside of winning with power Smith doesn’t have much to his pass rush game. His lack of complementary moves or outstanding movement skills is reflected in his production (2 sacks in his collegiate career). The tape however, would indicate it is not as bad as the surface numbers would indicate. Smith generates enough pressure from power moves to be a functional rusher at the next level he just lacks the closing speed to convert. He has the size/strength profile that indicates there is pass rush upside in his projection; it just needs to be unlocked. Smith projects to be a strong run defender at the next level with enough athleticism and size to play anywhere from the 0T to the 4i. Questions about his burst off the ball, length and pass rush capabilities will likely knock down his draft stock. Smith is likely a rotation player at the next level who can soak up quality early down reps. He does have the ability to turn into an every down starter if an NFL team can teach him how to convert his power into more consistent pass rush pressure.
Grade: 6.15 - Mid to Late Second Round Grade (Potential Starter)
Games Watched: Michigan State (2021), Penn State (2021), Wisconsin (2021), TCU (2022), Ohio State (2022)