Tag: Za’Darius Smith

Za’Darius Smith, Kenny Clark both among NFL’s best on third down in 2019

The Packers have two game-wreckers on the money down.

Third down is often called the “money down,” and the Green Bay Packers had two players on defense who were among the best at cashing in during the 2019 season.

According to Next Gen Stats, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith and defensive lineman Kenny Clark both finished among the top five in the NFL in third-down pressures last season.

Clark, a first-time Pro Bowler in 2019, was one of just three players – joining Aaron Donald and Justin Houston – to finish among the top five in both total third-down pressures and third-down pressure rate among qualifying rushers.

Smith and Clark both tallied 23 pressures on third down. Donald, the league leader, had 28.

Disruption on third down is huge for a defense, especially in today’s passing-centered game. A pressure or sack can be as good as a turnover if the disruption helps the defense get off the field on third down.

Not surprisingly, the Packers were terrific against the pass on third down in 2019. Mike Pettine’s defense delivered 19 sacks and four interceptions and allowed a completion percentage under 60.0 (56.1), a passer rating under 80.0 (78.9) and a yards per attempt average under 7.0 (6.6), all terrific situational numbers.

Clark and Smith likely played off each other, with Smith’s edge-rushing ability helping free one-on-one rush opportunities for Clark inside and Smith’s ability to slide inside and rush over the guard or center next to Clark creating increasingly difficult matchups for the interior of the offensive line.

According to Pro Football Focus, the pair produced 174 total pressures over 19 total games in 2019, including the postseason. They were as disruptive as any edge-interior duo in football (in fact, no other duo had more total pressures) and have a strong case for being the NFL’s best pair entering 2020.

Smith already cashed in on his ascension as a disrupter, signing a four-year, $66 million deal with the Packers in March of 2019. Now, it’s Clark’s turn. He’ll enter 2020 playing on the final year of his rookie deal, but the Packers are working on locking him long term with a monster new deal. Players as good and disruptive on the money down as Clark always get paid.

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