After a breakout season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Za’Darius Smith is the newest member of the Green Bay Packers. According to Ian Rapoport, he is expected to be signed by the team.
The #Packers are expected to bring in a huge addition, bringing in former #Ravens edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, sources say. They tried to trade for him a few years ago, are in prime position to sign him now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019
Za’Darius Smith to Sign With Green Bay Packers
Smith has had a long football journey up to this point, starting his collegiate career at East Mississippi Community College before eventually graduating and moving to Division I NCAA football. He would then spend two years as a Kentucky Wildcat before being selected in the fourth round by the Ravens. Smith had a great year in 2018, racking up 8.5 sacks, 60 QB pressures, a forced fumble, and career-high eight starts.
Smith garnered his first real workload with the Ravens as a rookie when almost the entire Ravens roster finished the season on injured reserve. Despite that bit of rookie success, Smith found himself pushed back on the depth chart to the likes of Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and later down the line, Matthew Judon. 2018 was his first real shot at regular playing time since his rookie year and he made the most of it, leading the Ravens in sacks.
Now moving into 2019 with his new contract, Smith should be able to take the next step. He is an interesting mix of strength, speed, and agility and can combine them all at times to lay some vicious hits on whoever is in the pocket. Smith also did a decent amount of his damage in 2018 when he was lined up in the B gap as opposed to on the edge.
It’s going to be very interesting to see what Smith does with his new contract. Smith always showed potential during his first few years, but only put it all together in his final season with Baltimore. He will now try and push his numbers to new heights and hit double-digit sacks as an everyday starter.
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