Ranking the Green Bay Packers’ most underrated players on 2020 roster
By Joe Kipp
1. Za’Darius Smith, OLB
The Packers’ most underrated player heading into 2020 is outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith. Smith famously wore a shirt underneath his jersey that read “snubbed” during the Packers’ win against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round.
The shirt was in reference to Smith being snubbed from both the AP All-Pro team and the initial Pro Bowl vote. He was later named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Despite not playing the entire game, Smith finished with two sacks in the Pro Bowl, which led all players.
Smith, who signed with the Packers as a free agent last offseason, enjoyed a breakout season in 2019. He tallied a career-high 13.5 sacks while adding a league-high 37 quarterback hits. Additionally, Smith led the NFL in total quarterback pressures (93), per PFF (subscription required). He was the third-highest graded edge defender according to PFF’s charting.
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Smith may be the most underrated pass-rusher in the NFL, though it’s somewhat understandable that the general population doesn’t know his name yet. Unfortunately, pass-rushers are often judged by how many sacks they rack up. Smith had his first double-digit sack season in 2019, so it could take another year to become a household name.