Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus during training camp at the River Ridge Fields Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Questions about the Dallas Cowboys’ run defense started early in training camp when offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer revealed that defensive tackle Mazi Smith weighed “right at 300 pounds.”
Smith, drafted in the first round in 2023 to strengthen the run defense, weighed 323 pounds during his Michigan days. As a rookie under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, his weight dropped to under 300 pounds late in the year, and the Cowboys finished 16th against the run.
Last season, with Mike Zimmer calling plays, Smith bulked up to 328 pounds — but the defense slipped to 29th. Now listed at 315 pounds, Smith is entering his third season with a third defensive coordinator: Matt Eberflus.
Eberflus’ Approach: Size Isn’t Everything
Eberflus believes a strong run defense starts with teamwork.
“Teamwork,” Eberflus said. “Yeah, teamwork. It is not just the inside guys. It’s not just the outside guys. It’s everybody. To have an elite run defense, it’s going to take everybody. … And that starts with … good tackling when our corners tackle. And that’s important. Because all the schemes nowadays make your corners tackle. Our guys will be a good tackling bunch, and we work on that daily.”
While he admits defensive tackles need some size to handle double-teams in the middle, Eberflus has often succeeded without massive players. In eight of the last 12 seasons working in a 4-3 scheme, his defenses ranked in the top 10 against the run, including three top-two finishes.
Different Sizes, Same Job
This year’s Cowboys camp features seven defensive tackles. Four weigh at least 300 pounds, with rookie Jay Toia the heaviest at 340. Smith’s starting partner, Osa Odighizuwa, weighs 285. Veteran Solomon Thomas, also 285, says size alone doesn’t determine success.
“You’ve got to have guys that hold up their guys,” Thomas said. “A guy that’s 280 and a guy that’s 320 can hold up the game the same. They can also get blown back the same. It just depends on pad level, violence and their technique. That’s really all it is. So I think it’s more about your discipline, your technique, your heart and your violence more than size.”
Preseason Struggles Show Work Ahead
The first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams wasn’t encouraging. The Rams rushed for 181 yards on 38 carries, though Schottenheimer noted most of the damage came after halftime, when many starters were resting.
That’s a concern for a team facing tough ground games in 2025. Philadelphia and Washington, both in the NFC East, had top-three rushing offenses last season. The Cowboys also face several other run-heavy opponents, including the Ravens, who piled up 274 rushing yards against Dallas in 2024.
New Faces in the Front Seven
Eberflus is working with a mix of returning players and newcomers. Holdovers include Smith, Micah Parsons, Sam Williams (back from a knee injury), Marshawn Kneeland, Odighizuwa, and Marist Liufau. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown should return in November from multiple knee ligament tears.
Offseason additions include defensive linemen Dante Fowler Jr., Donovan Ezeiruaku, Thomas, Toia, Payton Turner, and Perrion Winfrey, plus linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Sanborn.
Sanborn summed up the defensive goal simply: “Doing your job is No. 1”. “Obviously physical play, getting hats to the ball and swarming the ball carrier, especially in certain defenses you play. I mean, everybody’s got a job to do, and sometimes you’re not the one going to be able to make the play, but you’re going to set up the guy next to you to make that play.”
Jerry Jones Staying Patient
Owner Jerry Jones is not ready to label Smith a bust, pointing to former coach Tom Landry’s belief that linemen need three years before they can be fairly judged. Jones believes Eberflus’ system will fit Smith’s skill set.
“I think we’re going to use him in a way that really [fits] his skills,” Jones said. “He’s quick, but he’s strong. I think the way Flus has got him lined up here is going to help him as well. But we’ve got a good rotation in there with good size. And I’m anxious to see what that is.”
Smith, smiling when asked if 2025 would be his breakout season, gave a short answer: “What else is it going to be?”
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This report used information from ESPN.
