At the time of signing outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith to a lucrative contract, some believed the Green Bay Packers may have overpaid the now-star pass-rusher.
Nearly a year later, that sentiment looks extremely foolish. In fact, Smith’s contract appears to be a bargain after a breakout season in 2019.
During the start of free agency, Smith inked a four-year, $66 million deal ($20 million guaranteed) that placed him tied for 10th-highest in average annual salary ($16.5 million) among NFL pass-rushers at the time of signing.
Smith was named a team captain during training camp and was arguably the best player on the entire Packers roster over the course of the 2019 season. According to Pro Football Focus, he led the NFL in quarterback pressures (93), pressure rate (10.6%) and quarterback hits (37), and finished the season with 15.5 sacks in 18 games played (playoffs included).
Smith spent his previous four years with the Baltimore Ravens but never recorded more than 8.5 sacks in a single season. He totaled just 18.5 sacks over his previous 59 games played before landing in Green Bay.
One of the biggest reasons for Smith’s success in his debut season with the Packers was due to his versatility. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine aligned Smith along the line of scrimmage in multiple positions to gain the best advantage for both Smith and the rest of the Packers’ defensive line.
Here’s the number of sacks Smith recorded by alignment with video of all 15.5 sacks:
Left defensive end: 0.5
Stand up linebacker (left middle): 1
Stand up linebacker (right middle): 1
Right defensive tackle: 2.5
Left outside linebacker: 2.5
Right outside linebacker: 3
Right defensive end: 5
According to our charting, Smith recorded 8.0 sacks when lined up with his hand in the dirt in a 3-point stance (left defensive end, right defensive tackle, right defensive end), which accounted for 51.6% of his sack production.
When lined up in a 2-point stance with his hands at his knees, Smith recorded 7.5 sacks (stand up linebacker, right outside linebacker, left outside linebacker). This accounted for 48.4% of his sack production.
It simply didn’t matter where Smith lined up in 2019. Offensive linemen couldn’t handle any specific alignment, and Smith was arguably the most unstoppable pass-rushing force in the entire league. There may not be a more versatile pass-rusher in the NFL today.