Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen.

Cowboys linked to replacement for former first-round NFL Draft bust

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 3:00 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys struck gold by selecting Micah Parsons in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but not every pick along the front-seven has worked out anywhere close to as well.

When the Cowboys chose defensive lineman Mazi Smith in the first round two years ago, the hope was that he’d be a versatile defender equally capable of improving the pass rush as he is at dominating against the run. That simply hasn’t happened.

Dallas could look to rectify that mistake during the upcoming NFL Draft.

Cowboys linked to Mazi Smith replacement in NFL Draft

Through his first two seasons, Smith has logged just 54 total tackles with two sacks and seven tackles for loss. So, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cowboys look to upgrade at the position.

Pro Football Focus has the Cowboys doing exactly that, with analyst Mason Cameron listing Ole Miss nose tackle Walter Nolen as Dallas’ ideal fit in Round 1.

“With Mazi Smith posting sub-36.0 PFF run-defense grades in back-to-back seasons,” Cameron wrote. “It’s time for the Cowboys to reset the interior. Nolen, a well-built, explosive tackle who earned a 91.6 run-defense grade (second-best in the FBS, would be a clear upgrade.”

Nolen, 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, is a space-eater along the interior and finished last season with 6.5 sacks and 48 total tackles.

Dropping Nolen into a defense next to the likes of Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa could level up the Cowboys’ front-seven, perhaps significantly.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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