Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith is going into the bye week as one of the most productive edge rushers in the NFL through the first 10 weeks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Smith ranks second in the NFL in total pressures with 57. Only Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (64) has more.
Last season, Smith set a new career-high with 61 pressures. He’ll have six games to produce five more pressures and break that mark to finish the 2019 season.
Smith’s 12 pressures and three quarterback hits against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday brought him into the bye week on a high note.
Overall, Smith has 8.5 sacks, which ties a career-high, and 20 quarterback hits, ranking second in the NFL. In 2018, Smith produced 8.5 sacks and 25 quarterback hits over 16 games.
At PFF, Smith possesses the ninth-highest pass-rushing grade among edge defenders.
Through the first 10 weeks, Smith has five games with three or more quarterback hits and at least a half-sack in six games.
At his current pace, Smith will finish the 2019 season with 91 pressures, 13.5 sacks and 32 quarterback hits.
The Packers were certain they were getting a difference-maker when they signed Smith to a four-year, $66 million deal in March. Even the most optimistic prognostication couldn’t have envisioned this much production through the first 10 games.
