Za'Darius Smith

Za'Darius Smith

32-Year-Old Defensive EndDE
Detroit Lions
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The Browns like what they saw in Smith last season, his first in a Cleveland uniform. The club re-signed the defensive end, who played every game save for the regular-season finale when regulars were rested. He served as the complement to Myles Garrett on the opposite edge. Entering his age-32 season, Smith may not be the full-timer, but he can still pressure the quarterback in multiple schemes and run into a half-dozen sacks while O-lines focus on Garrett. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#Subscriber-Only
IDP
$Signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Browns in March of 2024. Traded to the Lions in November of 2024.
Dealt to Detroit
DEDetroit Lions
November 5, 2024
The Lions acquired Smith and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick from the Browns on Tuesday in exchange for 2025 fifth-round draft pick and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Detroit had been in the market for pass-rushing help after defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (tibia/fibula) suffered a likely season-ending injury in Week 6, and the addition of Smith fills that need. Through his nine games with Cleveland this season, Smith notched 5.0 sacks among his 23 tackles and had generated a 19.1 percent win rate on his pass rushes, placing him 12th among edge rushers with at least 60 attempts, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Smith should be ready to make his Lions debut this Sunday against the Texans.
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Detroit LionsLions 2024 DE Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

25851%
3012%
17735%
8232%
8216%
00%
7515%
7530%
6613%
6626%
5010%
5020%
438%
4317%
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2024 Za'Darius Smith Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Za'Darius Smith's measurables compare to other defensive ends?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 4"
 
Weight
270 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.83 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.66 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.42 sec
 
Vertical Jump
29.0 in
 
Broad Jump
113 in
 
Bench Press
23 reps
 
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2016
2015
During his lone season with the Vikings in 2022, Smith returned to form with double-digit sacks (10) for the third time in his eight-year career. This revival came on the heels of missing nearly the entire 2021 campaign for the Packers while rehabbing from back surgery. Aside from 2021, Smith also was limited to his fewest defense snaps (735) since 2018, as he was a regular on Minnesota injury reports last year due to a knee issue. After an offseason trade to Cleveland, the 30-year-old will be counted on as a key pass rusher as he moves from the Vikings' 3-4 defense to the 4-3 scheme run by the Browns.
Last year, a lingering back injury that required surgery in late September limited Smith to just one regular-season appearance Week 1, but he returned to action for Green Bay's divisional-round playoff loss to the 49ers. Cut loose by Green Bay in March, he signed with NFC North rival Minnesota to boost the team's pass rush and form a formidable tandem with Danielle Hunter in a new 3-4 defense. Smith can be an impact player, as he had sack totals of 13.5 and 12.5 the prior two seasons, but he'll need to show he can stay healthy as he turns 30 this season.
After recording a career-high 13.5 sacks in his first season with Green Bay, Smith backed that up with 12.5 more sacks in Year 2. He got more involved in other areas, too, forcing four fumbles, recovering two of them and also deflecting two passes. Smith doesn't rack up the tackle numbers that other linebackers do, but he's a proven pass rusher and, in the same role he filled the last two seasons, is a good bet to reach double digits in the sack department for a third year in a row.
In this space last year, it was written, "Smith's sack rate (in 2018) rivaled that of pass rushers who finished with more sacks, so if he takes off as the Packers expect, he's a good bet to break into double digits in the sack department for the first time in his career." Well, that's exactly what happened, as Smith finished tied for sixth in the league with 13.5 sacks. Even when he didn't get home, he wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks, finishing among the league leaders in pressure rate. Playing in the same defensive scheme without any major personnel changes affecting his role, Smith is a safe bet for double-digit sacks once again.
After spending four years with the Ravens, Smith joined the Packers during the offseason. He was mainly a rotational player while with the Ravens, but the Packers believe he is ready for a more prominent role, and signed him to a lucrative multi-year deal. His salary figures to make him a starter, which will give him a chance to see more snaps. Smith's sack rate last year rivaled that of pass rushers who finished with more sacks, so if he takes off as the Packers expect, he's a good bet to break into double digits in the sack department for the first time in his career.
In what was his rookie season last year, Smith totaled a respectable 5.5 sacks while playing 38.1 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. He was a beneficiary of Terrell Suggs missing nearly the entire season to a torn Achilles', seeing the field much more to fill in for the Pro-Bowler. With Suggs and Elvis Dumervil the clear starters at outside linebacker in 2016, Smith could be forced to take a step back in his second campaign.
The Ravens hope that Smith, a fourth-round draft pick out of Kentucky, can replace the departed Pernell McPhee as a versatile pass-rusher in a part-time role. Much like McPhee, Smith is an oversized outside linebacker with the potential to pressure quarterbacks from a variety of stances and locations.
More Fantasy News
Working through illness
DECleveland Browns
Illness
October 30, 2024
Smith (illness) did not practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Registers fourth sack of 2024
DECleveland Browns
October 22, 2024
Smith tallied two tackles (one solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals.
ANALYSIS
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Gets to quarterback again
DECleveland Browns
October 8, 2024
Smith recorded three tackles (two solo) including 1.0 sacks during Sunday's 34-13 loss at Washington.
ANALYSIS
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Good to go vs. Washington
DECleveland Browns
October 4, 2024
Smith (neck) was limited in Friday's practice but does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
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Bumps up activity
DECleveland Browns
Neck
October 3, 2024
Smith (neck) was a limited participant during practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Getting looks from Detroit
DECleveland Browns
November 2, 2024
The Lions have talked to the Browns about a trade for Smith before the Nov. 5 deadline, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
The Lions are looking to get additional pass rushing help after Aidan Hutchinson fractured his left tibia and fibula during the Lions' Week 6 win over the Cowboys. After registering 5.5 sacks across 16 regular-season games in 2023, Smith leads the Browns with 5.0 sacks through the first eight games of the regular season. The Browns may be more inclined to trade Smith and other pieces before the Nov. 5 deadline if they are unable to beat the Chargers on Sunday.
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