Back in June, I wrote a preview piece where I said Za’Darius Smith was the free agent signing I was the most excited about for Green Bay. I thought he had the most upside and could make the biggest immediate impact for a team struggling to find an identity on defense, specifically in pass rush.
While that didn’t make me any less excited for General Manager Brian Gutekunst to acquire Preston Smith, Adrian Amos, and Billy Turner, Za’Darius was the guy I felt could put the defense over the top right away. Now almost seven months later, he’s not only in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year, he should also strongly be considered for All-Pro, and he’s a team-elected captain leading the Packers defense into the playoffs.