The Green Bay Packers went gung-ho this offseason in terms of signing free agents. Green Bay managed to sign Preston Smith, Adrian Amos, and Za'Darius Smith to bolster their defense.
The defense was definitely an issue in 2018, with the Packers being ranked 18th in total defense. Although, the Packers did rank eighth in sacks last year with 44 of them.
Adding the law firm of Smith and Smith off the edges could improve that number even more in 2019. Za'Darius Smith was one of the best signings this offseason coming from the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens boasted the best defense in terms of total yards allowed in 2018.
Green Bay is hoping Za'Darius can bring the same level of production to the Packers.
When you get paid $66 million as Za'Darius did, the expectations are going to be through the roof. Here are three things to expect from the former Ravens pass rusher in 2019.
3. Improved Run Defense
When you talk about edge rushers in the NFL, you may not think of them as guys who are involved in run support. But in reality, they are very important in stopping opposing rushing attacks.
As an edge rusher, in the run game, the main job is to “set the edge” and not allow anything to get outside. Smith did a phenomenal job of that during his time with the Ravens.
In 2018, the Ravens had the fourth-ranked run defense in the NFL. To have a top-notch run defense, the defense has to work as a collective to execute your assignments. Smith will need to come in and drastically improve the less-than-stellar run defense of the Packers. The Packers ranked 22nd against the run in 2018 and are drastically needing a turnaround in 2019.
The good news is, Smith is fully capable, along with others, to help turn the tides of the run defense. Fans in Green Bay should expect a stingier defense when it comes to stopping the run.
2. More Turnovers
The key to causing more turnovers is making things uncomfortable in the pocket for the opposing quarterback. The Packers can do just that with their revamped pass-rushing group.
In 2018, Green Bay was abysmal at getting takeaways with just seven (31st in the NFL). Only the San Francisco 49ers managed to get fewer takeaways than the Packers in 2018.
Smith will be able to help give a boost in the turnover department with his ability to get after the quarterback. In a dream scenario, Green Bay fans could see Smith get a near-sack that turns into an interception by Amos.
Forced fumbles should become a more common occurrence with the addition of both Smith's as well. Green Bay was 16th in the NFL in 2018 when it came to fumbles recovered.
Regardless of who is intercepting or recovering the ball, the Packers should see more opportunities to get the ball back on defense. Getting Aaron Rodgers the ball as much as possible seems like a decent idea.
1. Sacks, Sacks, and More Sacks
Why did the Packers ultimately decide to sign Za'Darius Smith? To get after the quarterback and have plenty of sack celebrations.
Maybe not the celebration part, but they did bring him in to rush the passer. In four seasons with the Ravens, Smith had 18.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.
Those numbers may not jump off the page, but in Baltimore, he was used as a rotational pass rusher. In Green Bay, Smith is going to be let loose as the featured edge rusher.
Again, the Packers were surprisingly near the top of the league in sacks in 2018 with 44. That number could escalate in 2019 with the Packers' free agent additions this offseason.
At 26 years old, the best version of Smith is still yet to step foot on the football field. In 2019, Smith will take a leap forward in the right direction, especially when it comes to sacking the quarterback.
