* Top30 Pre-Draft Visit * DT Mazi Smith, Michigan

[Crazy Legs]

The Buffalo Bills are bringing in Mazi for a Pre-Draft Visit today, April 12th, 2023.   One Bills Drive is over run with prospects this week!

DT Mazi Smith, 6'3" 323lbs Dude Size, Michigan 

• Possesses rare combination of size and athleticism.
• Bendy and stout in his lower half.
• Power to punch and lift blocker under his pads.
• Hasn’t made many plays behind the line of scrimmage.
• Struggled against Iowa’s zone scheme attack.
• Unlikely to see many passing downs as a pro.

A lot of Bills fans are in love with Mazi.  Mostly because of his size.

He would be a 1tech backup to Daquan Jones, which the Bills need.  For teams looking for a 1Tech, he is high on their boards.

[Buffalochief2]

He ran 4.85 in the 40 and has excellent agility, so he could play 3tech DT as well.  Depending on who else is on the board I would not be upset with him at 27.

[Crazy Legs]

41 minutes ago, Buffalochief2 said:

He ran 4.85 in the 40 and has excellent agility, so he could play 3tech DT as well.  Depending on who else is on the board I would not be upset with him at 27.

He is a fit for Beane and McDermott who collect DLinemen like some women collect shoes.

[f8ta1ity54]

I would avoid smith. He gives off dontari poe vibes IMO, but even less consistent. 

[Crazy Legs]

8 hours ago, f8ta1ity54 said:

I would avoid smith. He gives off dontari poe vibes IMO, but even less consistent. 

I didn't watch much Dontari Poe, but Poe was named to the Pro Bowl twice.

What we need is another Daquan Jones.    Someone solid in the middle.   Doesn't have to be all world, but someone better than we have now who rotates with Daquan. 

[daryls61]

Would be a solid pick. Very Possible.

 

[Crazy Legs]

Projected Draft Spot   1st round = 24th to Top of 2nd round

[bcw]

Mazi Smith is definitely in the conversation at 27. 

I would wait until I see who Beane takes in round 2 and 3 before deciding if I like the pick.

[Crazy Legs]

2 hours ago, bcw said:

Mazi Smith is definitely in the conversation at 27. 

I would wait until I see who Beane takes in round 2 and 3 before deciding if I like the pick.

I could see taking Maz Smith at 27 (if Addison and Flowers are gone) and then in the 2nd looking at Jalin Hyatt or Tank Dell or a high end TE.

Basically Beane gets a DT and a pass catcher.

Or vice versa if WR Addison is still there, take him at 27, and then in the 2nd take Gervon Dexter type DT.

[Baldat28]

If they go DL again in the first round it shows they are inept and proves their past failures in drafting D-lineman. I mean really, Oliver, Epenesa, Rousseau, Basham, and not a single one has shown they can be a gamechanger, so much so that they had to go out and give a 33 year OLD Von Miller $20mil per. They need to go offense, they can't say we have Allen and you don't and call it a day. I don't even care where they go on offense, WR, TE, RB, OL, fine with any of them. They want to go DT. take Benton a round later, or Roy in the 3rd/4th.

[Crazy Legs]

11 minutes ago, Baldat28 said:

If they go DL again in the first round it shows they are inept and proves their past failures in drafting D-lineman. I mean really, Oliver, Epenesa, Rousseau, Basham, and not a single one has shown they can be a gamechanger, so much so that they had to go out and give a 33 year OLD Von Miller $20mil per. They need to go offense, they can't say we have Allen and you don't and call it a day. I don't even care where they go on offense, WR, TE, RB, OL, fine with any of them. They want to go DT. take Benton a round later, or Roy in the 3rd/4th.

I think there is a higher chance they go WR in the 1st round.   It will just demand on if Addison, Flowers or Jaxon Smith-Njigba are available. 

Beane has to pivot if all 3 of them are gone though.   I also think Darnell Wright will be gone by 27 also.     So, then what does Beane go?

I want a good player.   Someone that would be looked at as a "All Pro" level guy.   He can be just about anything.

[bcw]

2 hours ago, Crazy Legs said:

I could see taking Maz Smith at 27 (if Addison and Flowers are gone) and then in the 2nd looking at Jalin Hyatt or Tank Dell or a high end TE.

Basically Beane gets a DT and a pass catcher.

Or vice versa if WR Addison is still there, take him at 27, and then in the 2nd take Gervon Dexter type DT.

My thoughts exactly. 

[Crazy Legs]

On 4/12/2023 at 7:23 PM, Buffalochief2 said:

He ran 4.85 in the 40 and has excellent agility, so he could play 3tech DT as well.  Depending on who else is on the board I would not be upset with him at 27.

Mazi has the "measurables", for sure.  And Beane likes measurables.

The one knock is while Mazi can put pressure on the QB up the middle, he rarely gets to the QB.  Always a tick late from getting the sack.  Although if he was consisently sacking the QB, he would be a Top 15 pick.
 

[f8ta1ity54]

1 hour ago, Crazy Legs said:

Mazi has the "measurables", for sure.  And Beane likes measurables.

The one knock is while Mazi can put pressure on the QB up the middle, he rarely gets to the QB.  Always a tick late from getting the sack.  Although if he was consisently sacking the QB, he would be a Top 15 pick.
 

he doesn't fight through double teams as well as you would think someone with his size and abilities should be able to do.