Mazi Smith (Michigan)
Measurements:
Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 323 lbs
2022 Stats:
- 48 tackles
- 2.5 tackles for a loss
- 0.5 sacks
Mazi Smith is a name that is becoming a common sight in the first round of mock drafts as April 27th approaches. It makes a lot of sense to see him land there because he possesses a unique skill set.
Smith has a rare blend of size and speed. He is big enough to eat up space as a run stuffer, but is explosive off the ball and can get into the backfield. He could be a versatile piece on the defensive line playing nose tackle and defensive end in a three-man front.
While Smith’s size and quickness show up on tape, what doesn’t show up much are numbers on the stat sheet. One would think that with his size and speed, he’d have plenty of sacks in his college resume or worst case a ton of tackles for a loss. The truth is, he has neither. Smith had just half a sack in his college career and only six tackles for a loss. The fact he doesn’t finish plays is a bit concerning, but he was playing with Aidan Hutchinson for the last couple of seasons, and Kwity Paye before that. So those two were likely getting the sexy numbers, even if Smith was doing a lot of the grunt work.
While the lack of production is a concern, Smith’s size and speed are rare. If theMinnesota Vikings move down a few spots, his upside could be too great to pass on.