The Miami Dolphins keep churning through additions after finalizing their 53-man roster, and the latest move brings in a familiar name with plenty of draft pedigree and very little production to show for it.
On Tuesday, Miami added interior defensive line help by signing Mazi Smith to the practice squad, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Meirov wrote, "The Dolphins have signed former Cowboys 1st-round DT Mazi Smith to their practice squad," and added, "Smith was recently released by the Jets but will stay in the AFC East."
Smith arrives in Miami after being let go by New York, and the Dolphins clearly see enough upside to give him a shot. At this stage, any player who can provide immediate depth is worth a look for a roster that could use help just about everywhere except running back and center.
The 25-year-old was taken No. 26 overall by the Cowboys in 2023, but his NFL career has not matched the billing. Across three seasons with Dallas and New York, Smith has struggled to make much of an impact.
He was moved last season as part of the Quinnen Williams trade, then appeared in only eight games and finished with no sacks and three total tackles.
In 42 career games, including 17 starts in 2024, Smith has totaled 2.0 sacks, 57 tackles, seven tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.
For Miami, the move is a low-risk bet on a former first-rounder who is still just 25. He may wind up as nothing more than practice squad depth, but the Dolphins are giving him a chance to earn a bigger role if the opportunity opens up.
In Other News...
Jets Suddenly Have A Backup QB Question Worth Watching
Will Levis is suddenly available, and that alone makes him a name worth filing away for teams still sorting out the quarterback room. The former Titans second-round pick was released in Tennessee and cleared waivers, leaving him free to choose his next landing spot as he looks for a chance to continue his NFL career.
For the Jets, the appeal is obvious enough to follow. Levis still carries the kind of physical tools that made him a high draft pick, but he has not yet proven he can be a steady NFL starter, which is why the next step has to be a backup job rather than a path back into the spotlight. New England and Tampa Bay are also in the mix, so this one may come down to which team offers the clearest fit and the cleanest route to a roster spot. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Edge Plan Already Has One Early Problem Fans Feared
Joseph Ossais arrival was supposed to help steady the Jets edge rotation right away, with the veteran pass rusher projected to be in the Week 1 mix after a strong enough summer to earn a clear early role. Instead, the preseason finale brought a major setback when Ossai suffered a foot injury that was later described as a full plantar fascia tear, putting his availability for the start of the season in serious doubt.
Aaron Glenn said Ossai is currently week-to-week, and the Jets are considering short-term injured reserve, which would keep him out for at least the first four games. For a team trying to build a more reliable pass rush, it is an early hit to a plan that was already counting on Ossai to be part of the opening-month foundation. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Pass Rush Battle Is Forcing An Early Camp Rethink
Kingsley Enagbare has made a quick impression in Jets camp, enough to push him ahead of Will McDonald on the edge rusher depth chart as the team sorts through its early defensive line rotation. With Joseph Ossai working through a foot injury, the competition along the outside has taken on added importance, and New Yorks coaches are already making adjustments based on what they have seen in practice.
For a defense that expects its pass rush to set the tone, this is the kind of early camp development that can ripple beyond one spot on the roster. Enagbares strong showing has given the Jets a possible starter to lean on, but it also leaves the groups broader edge picture in flux as the staff tries to settle on the right roles before the season gets moving. [Read more 🡒]