Green Bay Packers 2023 NFL Mock Draft post Aaron Rodgers trade

Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

When it comes to the interior defensive line in the NFL, there is one word that comes to mind: power. This is where the trenches meet, and the strength of a team’s interior defensive line can make or break a defense. Enter Mazi Smith, a 6’3″, 323-pound behemoth from Michigan who would be a perfect fit for a defense in need of a tone-setter and power rusher from the inside.

The Green Bay Packers have a strong foundation, but depth is always a concern, and adding Smith to the mix would bolster their front line. Smith is an outstanding run defender who plays with outstanding physical strength (34 reps on the bench) at the point of attack to disrupt blocking concepts. He has the ability to reset the line of scrimmage and drive blockers into the backfield, creating interior penetration.

Smith has surprising athleticism for a player of his size. He has the ability to work down the line of scrimmage in the zone run game and displays a nice closing burst on the football. Smith’s pass-rush skill set is predicated on power and driving blockers into the lap of the quarterback. His club move is especially effective, knocking his opponents off-balance and softening the rush angle to pressure the quarterback.

While Smith may lack the ideal arm length to effectively stack and shed blocks, his trigger at the snap can be inconsistent, and he needs to improve his hand counters. However, his pass-rush skills have improved each year, making him an interesting prospect for teams looking for a two-down run-stuffing nose tackle with high-end passing-down potential.

Smith’s potential as a tone-setter and power rusher from the inside is why he would be the perfect pick on early Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft.