2022 Defense Stats
TCKL
44
SACKS
10.0
INT
0
FF
2
TD
0
2023 Projections
2022 Fantasy Outlook
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. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#
IDP
Return to form in 2022
Over 16 regular-season games in 2022, Smith accumulated 44 tackles (32 solo), including 10 sacks, and a career-high five passes defended in his first campaign with the Vikings.
ANALYSIS
Smith played all but one regular-season game in 2022 after he missed nearly all of the 2021 campaign with Green Bay while recovering from back surgery. The 30-year-old edge rusher was still limited to his fewest number of defensive snaps (735) since the 2018 season, as he regularly appeared on the weekly injury report while dealing with a knee issue. While his production also slowed with just one-half sack over the final eight weeks of the regular season, he did log double-digit sacks for the third time in his career. Smith formed an effective pass-rushing duo in his first season alongside Danielle Hunter (10.5 sacks). However, it's unclear if this pairing will be kept together since the Vikings are currently $24.5 million over the cap heading into 2023.
Smith played all but one regular-season game in 2022 after he missed nearly all of the 2021 campaign with Green Bay while recovering from back surgery. The 30-year-old edge rusher was still limited to his fewest number of defensive snaps (735) since the 2018 season, as he regularly appeared on the weekly injury report while dealing with a knee issue. While his production also slowed with just one-half sack over the final eight weeks of the regular season, he did log double-digit sacks for the third time in his career. Smith formed an effective pass-rushing duo in his first season alongside Danielle Hunter (10.5 sacks). However, it's unclear if this pairing will be kept together since the Vikings are currently $24.5 million over the cap heading into 2023.
NFL Stats
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2022 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
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2022 Za'Darius Smith Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Za'Darius Smith's measurables compare to other linebackers?
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
272 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.83 secShuttle Time
4.66 secCone Drill
7.42 secVertical Jump
29.0 inBroad Jump
113 inBench Press
23 reps
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Za'Darius Smith See More
Juan Carlos looks over the final injury report of the 2022-23 regular season and provides the latest updates on key players as of early Sunday morning.
For Jordan Mazzara's Week 14 IDP picks, he notes that Nakobe Dean's dynasty value is on the rise, especially if Kyzir White misses any time with his leg injury.
Mike Barner analyzes the Monkey Knife Fight offerings for the Thanksgiving games. Take the over on Stefon Diggs' projected fantasy points.
Juan Carlos Blanco has the latest as of early Sunday morning on a Week 11 injury report loaded with big names at wide receiver.
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both expect to play this week, while the Chiefs are hurting at wide receiver and the Saints and Bills appear thin on defense.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2016
2015
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.
More Fantasy News
Not listed on injury report
Smith isn't listed on the Vikings injury report Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Inactive against Chicago
Smith (personal) is inactive for Sunday's regular season finale against Chicago, Andrew Kramer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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Questionable, but expected to play
Smith (personal) is questionable for Sunday's matchup in Chicago, but he's still expected to play against the Bears, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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No injury designation
Smith (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Patriots, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
ANALYSIS
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Starts week limited
Smith (knee) was listed as limited on Monday's injury report, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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