The Minnesota Vikings are in desperate need of help on the defensive side of the football. They addressed defensive tackle by replacing Michael Pierce with Harrison Phillips, and they got Eric Kendricks a running mate in linebacker Jordan Hicks. There are still two big holes to fill in cornerback and edge rusher.
When it comes to the latter, it doesn’t get any better at this point than two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Za’Darius Smith.
Former #Packers OLB Za'Darius Smith is headed to Minnesota today for a visit with the #Vikings, per sources.
Smith's original deal with the #Ravens fell apart. Could he stay in the NFC North instead?
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 21, 2022
Smith is a really talented player that was the catalyst for the Packers’ pass rush over the previous three years.
He posted excellent pressure rates in his first two seasons in Green Bay with 93 in 2019 and 53 in 2020, per Pro Football Focus. Smith only played in one regular season game last year after suffering an injury in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.
Outside of Danielle Hunter, there isn’t any quality depth behind him. Everyone is unproven or really inconsistent. The addition of Smith would be a tremendous add to a pass rush that, while it was second in the league in sacks, was very inconsistent in rushing the passer, posting an average pass rush grade as a unit at 72.7.
Smith had agreed to a four-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens worth up to $35 million. Shortly after the agreement was announced, Smith pulled out of the contract for an unspecified reason.
That range should be about the same for the Vikings, who currently sit around $10 million in cap space after the Adam Thielen extension. This would be a move worth making for the Vikings if it makes sense financially, as the team would have two top-flight pass rushers on the roster.
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