The Green Bay Packers are close to landing their first major signing of free agency. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Packers are expected to sign Baltimore Ravens free-agent edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.
Financial details of the deal weren’t immediately known.
A fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2015, Smith produced a breakout season in 2018, tallying 8.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for losses over 16 games in Baltimore.
According to Pro Football Focus, Smith’s 60 total pressures were the 17th most among edge defenders in the NFL in 2018. He finished with the 16th best pass-rushing grade at the position.
The Packers desperately needed to add an edge rusher to Mike Pettine’s defense. Clay Matthews is a free agent, and Nick Perry is a potential cap casualty. Smith will give the Packers a young, ascending rusher to build the group around.
