MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins added former Dallas Cowboys first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith to their practice squad Tuesday, the team announced.
Miami added eight players to the practice squad that afternoon. Smith joined Liam Anderson, Clelin Ferrell, Amari Gainer, Jordan Miller, Will Sheppard, Jaylin Simpson, and Tre Watson. Miami made room by releasing quarterback Mark Gronowski from the practice squad. Ferrell was the lone addition who had spent training camp with the Dolphins.
The New York Jets let Smith go Aug. 29, one day before NFL rosters had to be cut to 53. He went unclaimed, keeping him in the AFC East.
Mazi Smith’s Three Seasons With The Dallas Cowboys
Dallas used the No. 26 pick in the 2023 draft on Smith after his career at Michigan, where he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. Smith is listed at 6-foot-3, 337 pounds.
He spent three years with the Cowboys and played in 39 games, making 20 starts. His rookie year ended with 13 tackles, 1.0 sack, 3 tackles for loss, and 3 quarterback hits. He logged 304 defensive snaps that season, which worked out to 28% of the Cowboys’ total. Smith then started every game in 2024, finishing the year with 41 tackles, 1.0 sack, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 quarterback hits. He played 526 defensive snaps, or 48% of Dallas’ defensive total. Smith saw 89 defensive snaps in five games last season. He had 3 tackles and did not make a start.
On Nov. 4, the Cowboys traded Smith, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick to the Jets for Quinnen Williams. The Jets later traded that second-rounder, the No. 44 pick in the 2026 draft. Williams appeared in seven games for Dallas after the deal and earned a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
Smith got into three games for the Jets and logged 54 defensive snaps. He did not record a tackle. For his career, Smith has 57 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 6 quarterback hits in 42 games.
Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, T’Vondre Sweat, Jowon Briggs, and fourth-round rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. were ahead of Smith on the Jets depth chart, according to NBC Sports.
Dallas gave Williams a three-year, $105.9 million extension during training camp in Oxnard, California, keeping him under contract through 2030. The contract includes $101 million guaranteed overall. Of that, $63.35 million was guaranteed at signing, along with a $31.85 million signing bonus.
Miami Dolphins Defensive Tackle Depth
Miami’s active-roster defensive tackles are Zach Sieler, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, and Keith Cooper Jr.. Smith now gives the Dolphins another option on the practice squad. Kenneth Grant began the season on injured reserve but carries a designation to return.
Teams can keep up to 16 players on the practice squad. Ten spots are for players with fewer than two accrued NFL seasons. The other six are open to veterans.
Dallas opens the season Sunday, Sept. 13, against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. NBC has the game, with kickoff set for 7:20 p.m. CT.
