Za'Darius Smith was one of the prize free agency additions for the Green Bay Packers this offseason. After choosing to leave the Baltimore Ravens, the star pass rusher ended up agreeing to a four-year, $66 million deal with the Packers. It's a move that should bolster a major weakness from last season.
Green Bay has not been viewed as the kind of team to make splashes in free agency for years. Since Brian Gutekunst took over the general manager role last offseason, however, that has completely changed.
Last season with the Ravens, Smith put together a big year. He recorded 45 total tackles to go along with 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two defended passes. Those numbers show why he was such a priority for the Packers this offseason.
The Packers decided to move on from pass rushers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry this offseason. While they were talented players, they weren't getting the job done. To replace them, Smith was signed along with Preston Smith and the team also selected Rashan Gary with the No. 12 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
All of that being said, what should be expected from Za'Darius Smith this season with the Packers?
Smith is going to see time at outside linebacker and he will see some time on the inside as well. Standing in at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, the Packers are going to have plenty of options with him.
Mike Pettine loves players that can move around the field. He also loves big bodies with top-notch athleticism. Green Bay is getting both of those things with their new pass rusher.
There have been reports that the Packers could play four outside linebackers at the same time this year. If that is the case, they are going to have both Smith's, Gary, and Kyler Fackrell all getting after opposing quarterbacks. For a team that finished tied for third in the NFL in sacks in 2018, that should show even more improvement.
Gutekunst and company have put together a roster that should lead the league in sacks if they live up to their on-paper potential.
Add in the fact that Green Bay bolstered their secondary this offseason and the pass rush will have even more opportunity. Adrian Amos was signed in free agency away from the Chicago Bears and the team took fellow safety Darnell Savage at No. 21 in the draft. Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson are both in line to take big leaps forward in their second seasons and Kevin King will be back at full health.
Za’Darius Smith announces on his Instagram that he’ll be wearing #55 in Green Bay 👀 pic.twitter.com/lJxW3T08lk
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) March 18, 2019
Predicting a season for any player is a difficult task, but there are reasonable expectations for Smith in his first year with the Packers.
He should take a step forward himself in a better defense than he played with last year. Smith should end up with around 50 tackles, 10 sacks, and a couple forced fumbles. Those numbers are certainly attainable for a player with his talent and reasonable for a guy getting paid the contract that he received.
Green Bay is ready to get back into Super Bowl contention after missing the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Smith is going to be a major factor in doing just that and the season can't get here soon enough.
It has been a long time since there was this much excitement surrounding the defense in Green Bay.
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