# Miami Dolphins Add Former First-Round Pick Mazi Smith to Practice Squad

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-02 01:29 UTC · Category: Sports · Sources: 7 · Current Velocity: 26.46

## Executive Summary
The Dolphins shock fans by dropping a quarterback and stashing a former first‑round pick on the practice squad.

## Intelligence Brief
In a surprising roster move, the Miami Dolphins placed former first‑round pick Mazi Smith on their practice squad, joining defensive end Clelin Ferrell and coinciding with the release of quarterback Mark Gronowski. The simultaneous release of Gronowski underscores a shift toward defensive reinforcement as the team finalizes its opening‑day roster.


The signings came as the team reshuffled ahead of the season opener, adding two recent former Green Bay Packers—Smith and Ferrell—while also bringing in ex‑Cowboy draft pick Smith, according to NBC Sports and Packers Wire. The moves suggest a focus on bolstering depth on the defensive line as the roster stabilizes.


Yahoo Sports emphasizes Smith’s first‑round pedigree, Packers Wire stresses the Packers link, and heavy.com highlights the Cowboys connection, illustrating divergent angles. None of the reports explain the rationale for Gronowski’s cut or detail any short‑term plans for Smith beyond the practice squad, leaving his potential promotion and the full composition of the squad unresolved, and roster depth considerations.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### Who is Mazi Smith?
Mazi Smith is a former first‑round draft pick who previously played for the Dallas Cowboys and has been signed to the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad.

### Why did the Dolphins add Clelin Ferrell and other former Packers?
The team added Ferrell and Smith, both ex‑Packers, as part of defensive line depth building ahead of the season opener, as reported by NBC Sports and Packers Wire.

### What does being on the practice squad mean for a player?
Players on the practice squad practice with the team but are not on the active roster; they can be promoted to the active roster if the team decides.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
PACKERS, Dolphins, Practice Squad, Miami Dolphins Add Former First-Round Pick Mazi Smith, QB Mark Gronowski, Mazi Smith Clelin Ferrell, Former Cowboys First-Rounder Lands With Dolphins Days Before Season Opener, Dolphins Fill Out Practice Squad With Clelin Ferrell Former First-Round Pick Mazi Smith

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC Sports | Dolphins cut QB Mark Gronowski from practice squad, sign Mazi Smith, Clelin Ferrell to it | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4wFBVV95cUxOTEhwSjZ4c3FnM1NwNE1xTFBfeHZUMVZFZ25sUlp3TEZaRTdHWjVDWlBld0xLRFRIRmp2REw3N2lNQldoOFJSeWdSb2dqcEh0M3dhdEo5TDEwem5CTlA3Mi1tcUQwMmtwLVZSNnpHSTZYWUdxcHEybDc1end2clZ4SWVZMDZ3cWFGejQ5VWFCWlBsNDNsSHl0aXBDVlR0WUpSMmhNQlhyUXVwRkRaN1FIZmU5dzhnLVBUWjQ0WmFMZ0NidUFWTmNHdjAwTzhGc204amlTRWxKTGhOTVkycTJJcFh2RQ?oc=5) |
| jsonline.com | Dolphins keep adding ex-Packers players, sign 2 to practice squad | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivwFBVV95cUxPOTZYbW5nSTZyYmxqODBGcXJKYVEyRFZSSnFHS3V4cWZUNE5sMFgxVEw0LS1kakwzU3ZTM2hicHNrMmFiRmZaVkJIQjkwOTVKNFhIQU8zcUh5YTctOFNGd3hvbUhmQ3gtb1VvZ182bXhVU1AtbmFuSUdHbk9tMXVwRVJoTGc5cEt0OW1pTHFtY2RWOC1MWVVaeE1VemtOLXJnX1lUZjdLdGZhbU8xYlVMQ1VJRzQ5Y3VxX1V4TWpPTQ?oc=5) |
| Miami Dolphins | Dolphins make practice squad moves | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigAFBVV95cUxOX0lnM1d1RVpaWGhsLXZoZVBPQkNFeE50dXIycDVxdEtEMjlKN1FWYlB1WEo0T2NCNWc2ajlIUzQxMFBISFJJbXdsc2VhRklCRFo3ZU1EQ19DeU1yWHMtT1JCRTVQWUlLdElyc3lrb3FUejNoNVhoVWItSHRrUkp6Yw?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Dolphins sign former first-round pick to their practice squad | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxNckYtdktyNGtmeTBHYmNOUlh1M3lKbWcwSnk3R1gwQnNOSFV0cVBVWWd6cEpVTVBMSlBHZVFGMVI5ZFlEZ2o0dEplTFY4aEtTQW1DbXloUE9uZGg5eHU4SkxKalplQTI2VFdqQlJodm4xUTdBOUNOdWlYVTR4VS0xdXFwSzJtSGxz?oc=5) |
| heavy.com | Former Cowboys First-Rounder Lands With Dolphins Days Before Season Opener | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxPaUlhaWUycWs3S1BDNW9tQ2doX25QNGxDMlJOaFRNV3ExY0dPSTByME9DcVlFNm92RWstWnBtWG5ySkZZZmdwZ3ZVQnBaZ1FyWFVMUkRxYUhYbGZ2QkszNW5CaFVTMDlXblVuVERWeS00R0dmX0xaV2ZBMGRlOGJXWEtzZWM3RTZzd3lz?oc=5) |
| Packers Wire | Dolphins sign 2 former Packers to practice squad | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxQakg1WkRnRG1DQzNyaFBvSjMxS1AxSGRCUGhDaG9rZlZRMkRBU2luX1pnV1hDTzkyelpVN2NVV1JNVmo1TmwwbXJtcXByZVdrZDJaYWt0MmtrVVBRaV91R0xXWmtvaHpqVzVsVjRwZnhVZnVmcXBDYWh3MTBwV2k0ZlpteEx3aGVXbHZUaEdPeWYzU1VUV3NsRW1uTVlfM185ZzRfcGdlNWtOM3AtTnlWdDVJN0xJYTA3cS1rSDBBYXMzSWtkY2RMeEJn?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Dolphins Fill Out Practice Squad With Clelin Ferrell, Former First-Round Pick Mazi Smith | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxQMXVoMGdKc1pXNnFxZXljMGlxeEpMUEFhTzN0WEE5bEN3ZWNuYXU5WTVJczMxSThzQUlRSnNMTThJRmVkc3ZuckFCLUJOQ3RKRVRHa1VnR1I2aEFOLVcxVFJRb1lFSlhORjUyd1hFLU12RDVEaHJvWXNnQkltZzQxOXBWMW5vcFd4M1pSMw?oc=5) |
| Dolphins Talk | Miami Dolphins Add Former First-Round Pick Mazi Smith to Practice Squad | 2026-09-01 21:32 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE5oUzlYX1FqQ2JMajJfZHRqUzNqYjN6WjRmRlJIcW11QW55SC1HcnpaeW50RWZkTFctTEhFbUpFQXFQZEdzNmdxZ0Q2d1Vlc01vZUlxVDlxcUZOWEt4YlVHekV2bG04ME1WUGZDUVFGS0NsZEpmYnF1MkdOZFFaQQ?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://www.newsylist.com/trend/2026-09-02/miami-dolphins-add-former-first-round-pick-mazi-smith-to-practice-squad*
*Synthesized by Newsylist Open Intelligence Engine under E-E-A-T journalistic standards.*