Three votes separated Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith from receiving All-Pro honors in 2019.
Smith, who produced one of the most disruptive seasons from a defensive player in the NFL in 2019, finished fifth in the voting at edge rusher, trailing Chandler Jones, T.J. Watt, Shaquil Barrett and Cameron Jordan.
Jordan, who earned second-team honors, received 12 votes, while Smith finished with nine.
The four players voted ahead of him were all deserving. It’s just a shame Smith won’t receive All-Pro recognition for a dominant season.
He led the NFL in quarterback hits, total pressures, pressure rate and expected sacks. He became just the fourth player since 2006 to deliver at least 37 quarterback hits in a season, and he ended up as the only player in the NFL with 90 or more total pressures.
It’s possible a lack of sacks made the final difference. Smith finished with 13.5, good for sixth in the NFL but behind the four voted All-Pro.
All-Pro voting at edge rusher
| Player | Votes | Sacks | QB hits | TFL | Pressures |
| Chandler Jones | 32 | 19.0 | 26 | 11 | 78 |
| T.J. Watt | 22 | 14.5 | 36 | 14 | 81 |
| Shaquil Barrett | 18 | 19.5 | 37 | 19 | 82 |
| Cameron Jordan | 12 | 15.5 | 25 | 15 | 83 |
| Za’Darius Smith | 9 | 13.5 | 37 | 17 | 93 |
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