Proposed Trade Has Cowboys Send $13 Million 20-Game Starter to Lions
The Dallas Cowboys face a decision about the future of a former first-round pick. For the second straight week, Mazi Smith was among the team’s inactive players during the team’s win over the New York Giants.
It might be time for the Cowboys to explore a change of scenery for Smith, but it is hard to imagine the former first rounder has a sizable trade market. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has Smith among his top 10 players on the NFL trade block.
The analyst labels the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers as the top landing spots for Smith. Let’s explore what a potential Cowboys-Lions trade could look like for the former No. 26 pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Cowboys Rumors: Could the Lions Be a Trade Partner for Mazi Smith?
Bleacher Report estimates that Smith’s trade value is a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick. Given these projections, a hypothetical trade pitch has the Cowboys net a sixth rounder while the Lions acquire Smith.
Detroit would be banking on the idea that Smith still has upside that could be unlocked by a change of scenery. Smith is just one season removed from starting all 17 games for Dallas in 2024. It would be a low-risk move for Detroit.
“With Kenny Clark now manning the middle of their defense, the Cowboys appear to have little interest in letting Smith learn on the field,” Knox wrote in a September 10, 2025, story titled, “2025 NFL Trade Block Big Board Entering Week 2.” “This means he can probably be had for pennies on the dollar.
“Smith was viewed as a raw prospect coming out of college and was always expected to need time to develop. He’s still a 6’3″, 337-pound former first-round pick with a tremendous amount of untapped potential. A change of scenery might be required for him to reach it,” Knox added.
“If Dallas doesn’t want to be patient with him, it’ll likely take any reasonable offer it can get.”
The Cowboys Want to See Consistency From Mazi Smith for the Former 1st Rounder to Earn Snaps
Smith’s four-year, $13.2 million rookie contract is slated to run through 2026. The addition of Kenny Clark may make Smith’s days in Dallas numbered, but it remains to be seen if the Cowboys can get anything in return for the defensive tackle.
Had Smith panned out as expected, acquiring a defensive tackle for Micah Parsons would not have been as much of a priority for the Cowboys front office. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus pointed to consistency as Smith’s main issue that is keeping him from getting snaps.
“Just consistency,” Eberflus said of Smith, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “He’s done that, just at a more consistent level. That’s really it.
“That’s been our message to him throughout the building. He’s improving on that, for sure.”
Mazi Smith on Lack of Playing Time With Cowboys: ‘I’m Just Trying to Do What’s Best for the Team’
Putting Smith alongside Lions star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson could only help the former highly touted prospect’s production. Smith is attempting to maintain a positive attitude despite falling out of the Cowboys rotation.
“I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team and listen to my coaches and do exactly what they say, whether I’m playing or not,” Smith noted, per The Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins.
Broncos $23 Million Free Agent Called ‘Non Factor’ After Loss
The Denver Broncos thought they were getting one thing with free agent tight end Evan Engram when they signed him to a 2-year, $23 million contract on March 12 — an elite weapon who could fit the “Joker” role in head coach Sean Payton’s offense.
What they got, instead, is a player yet to show any glimpse of that upside and someone who hasn’t given the Broncos any improvement at arguably their weakest offensive position from one year ago.
Engram’s struggles were underlined in a 29-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 in which he had 1 reception for 12 yards on 2 targets.
“Evan Engram has been a real non-factor today,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans wote on X on September 14. “Usage in Week 1 was a little odd at times too even before calf injury.”
Through the first 2 games, Engram has 4 receptions for 21 yards and no touchdowns.
Engram’s Absence In Offense Getting Noticed
Engram, a 2-time Pro Bowler, was supposed to be a big component in the offense. Making a negligible impact after a promising preseason hasn’t gone unnoticed.
That was underlined by backup tight end Adam Trautman scoring a touchdown against the Colts.
“Does Evan Engram even exist?” Yahoo Fantasy Sports wrote on its official X account next to a video Trautman’s touchdown reception from Bo Nix. “(Engram) has more false start penalties (1) than targets (0) today.”
“I thought Evan Engram was supposed to be the joker?” X user The Uce wrote. “So far, he’s been a joke.”
“Can someone explain to my why … Courtland Sutton didn’t see many targets? Evan Engram isn’t apart of the offense?” X user Bro Brian wrote.
“Drafted Evan Engram (in fantasy football) thinking he’d at least be a serviceable TE.” X user Leo P wrote. “Had no idea I was drafting ‘the invisible man’ and a complete afterthought on that Denver offense.”
“Everyone go delete your offseason Evan Engram tweets,” X user Dukes wrote.
Insider Predicted Problems With Engram
ESPN’s Ben Solak called out signing Engram as one of the NFL free agent deals he “didn’t love” and wondered if Engram can really be a viable fix for the Broncos’ tight end woes.
“(Engram) adds the most value when he’s a high-volume underneath receiver,” Solak wrote on March 26. “On days in which Courtland Sutton demands high volume, or on which the Broncos want to be a run-heavy team … Engram could be obsolete. He doesn’t create big plays downfield or after the catch, and he isn’t an impactful blocker. It’s not a
Engram was coming off the worst statistical season of his career in 2024 with just 47 receptions for 365 yards and 1 touchdown in 9 games.
He finished the season on injured reserve with a torn labrum as the Jacksonville Jaguars stumbled to a 4-13 record before head coach Doug Pedersen was fired and replaced with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
Engram is in his ninth NFL season and will have approximately $74.4 million in career earnings when his current contract runs out following the 2026 season.
