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Za'Darius Smith

Za'Darius Smith

32-Year-Old Defensive EndDE
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Defense Stats
TCKL
35
SACKS
9.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
2025 Projections
TCKL
SACKS
INT
FF
TD
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2025 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Za'Darius Smith in 2025. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
RANKS
Height 6'4"
Weight 270
DOB 9/8/1992
College Kentucky
Drafted 4th Rd 2015 #122 Overall
Released by the Lions in March of 2025.
In line to be released
DEFree Agent
March 9, 2025
The Lions are releasing Smith, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith was entering the second of a two-year, $23 million contract and would have been a $5.75 million cap hit for Detroit in 2025. The 33-year-old provided much needed production for the Lions after being traded from the Browns last season, logging 4.0 sacks over the final eight games of the 2024 campaign. Smith totaled 9.0 sacks over 17 regular-season games last year, and he should get plenty of attention this offseason from teams in need of pass-rushing help. Meanwhile, the Lions likely will look to the draft or free agency to find a new edge defender to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson, who is coming off a season-ending leg injury.
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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
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Za'Darius Smith See More
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Za'Darius Smith See More
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2016
2015
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.
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
Finishes 2024 with 9.0 sacks
DEDetroit Lions
January 30, 2025
Smith logged 35 tackles (22 solo), including 9.0 sacks, and one pass defense across 17 regular-season games in 2024.
ANALYSIS
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Sacks Love in Week 14
DEDetroit Lions
December 9, 2024
Smith tallied two solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Detroit's 34-31 win over Green Bay in Week 14.
ANALYSIS
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Practices in full Wednesday
DEDetroit Lions
November 13, 2024
Smith (personal) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.
ANALYSIS
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Inactive Sunday
DEDetroit Lions
Personal
November 10, 2024
Smith (personal) is inactive for Sunday night's contest against the Texans.
ANALYSIS
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Not expected to play Sunday
DEDetroit Lions
Personal
November 9, 2024
Smith (personal), who is officially questionable for Sunday's game against Houston, isn't likely to suit up, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Likely not on Chicago's radar
DEFree Agent
July 7, 2025
Smith would likely need to reduce his salary demands to be an option in free agency for the Bears, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The veteran edge rusher spent 2024 with the Lions, so following new Bears head coach Ben Johnson to Chicago could make some sense, but Smith has made at least $10 million per season every year since 2019 and probably isn't interested in taking a pay cut to facilitate a reunion. The Bears lack proven pass rushers behind Montez Sweat, however, so adding someone who can get to the quarterback could become a priority during training camp.
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