Miami Dolphins Add Former First-Round Pick Mazi Smith to Practice Squad
The Miami Dolphins continue to reshape their roster heading into the 2026 regular season, and their latest addition brings some intriguing upside to the defensive line.
Miami announced Tuesday that it has signed defensive lineman Mazi Smith to its practice squad. Smith, a former first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, gives the Dolphins another massive interior defensive lineman to develop and potentially call upon during the season.
Smith was one of eight players Miami added to the practice squad Tuesday, joining Liam Anderson, Clelin Ferrell, Amari Gainer, Jordan Miller, Will Sheppard, Jaylin Simpson and Tre Watson. Miami also released quarterback Mark Gronowski from the practice squad.
A Former First-Round Pick Gets a Fresh Start
Smith entered the NFL with plenty of expectations after the Cowboys selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-3, 337-pound defensive tackle was selected No. 26 overall after playing his college football at Michigan. Smith appeared in 35 games with 28 starts for the Wolverines and earned All-Big Ten honors twice.
Smith’s combination of size, strength and athletic ability made him one of the more intriguing interior defensive line prospects in his draft class. However, he was never able to establish himself as the impact player Dallas envisioned when it used a first-round selection on him.
Smith eventually became part of the blockbuster trade between Dallas and the New York Jets involving star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams during the 2025 season.
His stay in New York didn’t last long.
The Jets waived Smith during their final roster cuts this summer after adding significant competition to their defensive line.
Now, Miami will see if a change of scenery can help Smith get his career back on track.
Dolphins Taking a Low-Risk Chance
This is exactly the type of practice squad signing that makes sense for the Dolphins.
There isn’t much downside.
Smith has already appeared in 42 NFL games with 20 starts, recording 57 tackles and two sacks during his time with Dallas and New York. He also has postseason experience with the Cowboys.
At just 25 years old, Smith is still young enough that there could be some untapped potential.
Nobody should expect Smith to suddenly become the dominant defensive tackle Dallas envisioned when it drafted him in the first round. But Miami doesn’t need him to become that player for this signing to work.
If Smith can provide quality depth against the run and develop into a dependable rotational defensive lineman, Miami may have found a useful player without having to dedicate a spot on the 53-man roster to him immediately.
Roster Moves | We have signed the following players to the practice squad:
ILB Liam Anderson
EDGE Clelin Ferrell
EDGE Amari Gainer
DL Jordan Miller
WR Will Sheppard
CB Jaylin Simpson
DL Mazi Smith
TE Tre Watson
We have also released QB Mark Gronowski from the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/YVnvTJRTHc
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 1, 2026
Miami Adds More Size Up Front
The Dolphins currently have Zach Sieler, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers and Keith Cooper Jr. among their defensive tackles on the active roster, while Kenneth Grant is on injured reserve with a designation to return.
Adding Smith gives Miami another big body to work with behind that group.
At 337 pounds, Smith brings legitimate size to the middle of the defensive line and has experience playing nose tackle. His ability to occupy blockers and hold up against the run could make him particularly valuable depending on injuries and matchups throughout the season.
It also gives Miami another developmental option while Grant works his way back.
Can Miami Unlock Mazi Smith?
That’s ultimately what makes this move interesting.
First-round picks receive that designation because they possess traits NFL teams believe can translate into high-level production. Smith hasn’t reached those expectations through his first three NFL seasons, but the physical tools that made him a first-round selection haven’t disappeared.
There is also very little pressure attached to the move.
Smith isn’t being handed a starting job or even a spot on the active roster. He can spend time learning Miami’s defensive system, working with the coaching staff and attempting to earn another opportunity.
For the Dolphins, it’s a low-risk gamble on a talented player who once carried a first-round grade.
And if Miami can get more out of Smith than Dallas or New York did, this could turn into one of the more interesting practice squad additions the Dolphins have made this year.