With the injury to Dewayne Carter, Buffalo may be looking at options from around the league. Sometimes players just need a change of scenery. One name that could be worth a look for the Buffalo Bills is Mazi Smith, the defensive tackle currently with the Dallas Cowboys. Drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith came into the league with loads of potential, but his career in Dallas hasn’t taken off the way many expected. Could Buffalo be the right place for him to reboot his career?

Sound Familiar? Kair Elam was shipped to Dallas for the same reasons and reports are that he's been impactful in the offseason. 

Why It Hasn’t Worked in Dallas

Smith’s career with the Cowboys has been turbulent. In just two seasons, he’s already played under three different defensive coordinators, each asking him to change his weight and adjust to a new scheme. That lack of consistency is brutal for a young player trying to find his footing.

The results speak for themselves:

• Only 2 sacks and a limited number of tackles for loss in two seasons.

• Declining Pro Football Focus grades, finishing near the bottom of the league among defensive linemen in Year 2.

• Struggles continued into his third preseason, where after a rough outing Smith admitted, “I just didn’t do anything… You gotta do something. I’m a first-round pick.”

Smith’s weight fluctuations — losing pounds under Dan Quinn, bulking up for Mike Zimmer, then slimming down again for Matt Eberflus — didn’t help either. By his own admission, the biggest hurdle has been mental: “It’s all up here.”

Why the Bills Make Sense

Despite his struggles, the talent is still there. At 6’3, 337 pounds, Smith is a true space-eater with the kind of raw strength you can’t teach. Back at Michigan, he started 28 games, racked up 88 tackles, and earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. At the 2023 Combine, he put up 34 bench reps at 225 pounds — the most of any defensive lineman that year.

For Buffalo, the fit is intriguing:

• The Bills have invested heavily at edge with Joey Bosa and Greg Rousseau, but they could still use an anchor in the middle.

• Injuries have hit the defensive line rotation in recent years, making depth critical.

• Sean McDermott has a track record of helping underperforming defenders turn their careers around.

In short, Smith could be the kind of rotational piece who thrives in Buffalo’s system, commanding double teams and freeing up linebackers like Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard.

What Would It Take?

The Cowboys may be ready to move on, especially if a new staff sees Smith as a poor fit. His first-round pedigree still holds value, but his declining production lowers the asking price. A mid-round draft pick or a player-for-player swap could make sense for both sides.

The Bigger Picture

For Buffalo, this would be a classic low-risk, high-reward move. If Smith continues to struggle, the cost likely won’t sting. But if the Bills can unlock even a piece of the potential he showed at Michigan, this trade could solidify the interior of a defense already stacked with talent on the edges.

Sometimes all a player needs is stability and the right coaching. If the Bills are serious about fortifying their defense for a playoff run, taking a flyer on Mazi Smith could be exactly the kind of move that pays off big.

If not a trade for Mazi Smith, what do we think is an option with an upside for Buffalo?