An already highly productive pass-rush is going to get supercharged when Za’Darius Smith returns for the Packers to open the playoffs.
The return of All-Pro edge rusher Za’Darius Smith could help supercharge what is already a productive and disruptive pass-rushing defensive front for the Green Bay Packers during the playoff run.
In fact, even without Smith for all but 18 snaps this season, the Packers were still the only team in the NFL this season with two interior rushers producing at least 40 pressures and two edge rushers producing at least 60 pressures, per stats collected by Pro Football Focus.
The team’s pressure leader was Rashan Gary, who created a truly Za’Darius-like season: 81 pressures (third-most among edge rushers), 28 quarterback hits and an overall pass-rush win rate of 26.0 percent. Without much question, Gary’s ascension to stardom in Year 3 helped the Packers overcome what could have been the crushing loss of Smith this season.
Kenny Clark, who got more opportunities to align outside against offensive tackles this season, set a new career-high with 64 total pressures, ranking fourth among interior defenders. Preston Smith enjoyed a bounce-back season, and like Clark, set a new career-high in pressures with 62. Dean Lowry completed the quartet, creating a career-high 42 pressures as he evolved into an occasionally dominant power rusher from the inside.
Together, the four combined to produce 249 pressures.
And the fearsome foursome will now add a terrifying fifth.
Za’Darius Smith, who created 26.0 sacks and 60 quarterback hits during his first two seasons in Green Bay, practiced on Wednesday and will be designated for return from injured reserve.
Smith is coming back from a significant injury and likely won’t be a full-time player right away. But even in a rotational pass-rushing role, he could have huge value, especially in the postseason when getting pressure on quarterbacks in high-leverage situations is so important.
He averaged 82 total pressures per year over the last two seasons. Incredibly versatile, he can be aligned at several spots along the defensive front, including in the A-gap over the center as a roaming rusher. Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry will have myriad options for utilizing him in a highly specific but rotational role, even when the other pass-rushers are on the field in traditional spots.
In Week 1, after hardly stepping on the field during training camp, Smith still had disruptive moments. He actually created an interception for Darnell Savage on a terrific pass-rush rep, but the whole play negated on a controversial penalty called on the hit on Saints quarterback Jameis Winston.
The Packers may also get back Kingsley Keke, who’s been battling an illness. He’s had an up-and-down season, but when he’s healthy and firing on all cylinders, Keke can be a highly disruptive interior rusher. Adding both Smith and Keke to the mix could really make this a dangerous pass-rushing front.
The goal over the next two weeks will be getting Smith back into football shape and up to speed within the scheme. He’s been off the field for most of the season, including training camp. And he has only one game actually playing in Barry’s scheme. The team needs to get him ready to play without pushing him too hard too fast.
It’s a delicate balancing act, but the end result could be tremendous. The return of Smith to the Packers’ pass-rushing group certainly has the potential to turn a highly productive unit into one capable of powering a Super Bowl run over the next month.
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