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Green Bay Packers: Defense is finally on the mend

By Russell S. Baxter

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Za'Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after blocking a field goal against Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Za'Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after blocking a field goal against Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Outside Linebacker Preston Smith #94, strong safety Deshazor Everett #22 and cornerback Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins celebrate after recovering a fumble in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Outside Linebacker Preston Smith #94, strong safety Deshazor Everett #22 and cornerback Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins celebrate after recovering a fumble in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

OLB Preston Smith (from Washington Redskins)

Preston Brown is one of the more complete 3-4 outside linebackers in the league and in some ways, sorely underrated. A second-round draft choice in 2015, the Washington Redskins got four solid and productive seasons from a player that didn’t miss a game over that span and was a 16-game starter each of the past three years.

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Smith’s rookie campaign saw him make only two starts. But he finished his debut season with 30 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes defensed. He also made his presence felt on special teams with five stops and a forced fumble.

Over the past three seasons, Smith has one of the most consistent players on the Redskins’ defense. In 48 regular-season contests over that span, the former Mississippi State product totaled a combined 134 tackles, 16.5 QB traps, four interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries while knocking down nine passes.

Along with his ability to put some heat on opposing quarterbacks, the 6-5, 265-pound defender has been a strong run defender. And that’s good news for a Green Bay defense that was 22nd in the league in this department this past season.

Smith has never been named to a Pro Bowl and that’s hardly surprising. But perhaps a change of venue and a real breakout year could change all that.

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