The Browns have acquired Edge Za'Darius Smith from the Vikings for a mere swap of draft picks. Minnesota has been expected to move on from Smith this offseason to save salary cap. The 30-year-old rebounded from losing nearly all of 2021 to injury, racking up 80 total pressures in his lone Vikings season, according to Pro Football Focus. That marked the second-largest total of his career, and Smith has earned elite-level pass-rushing grades from PFF in each of his last three healthy campaigns. He should play lead snaps opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland, though free-agent addition Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will factor into the rotation as well.
The Vikings are signing EDGE Marcus Davenport to a one-year, $13 million deal, according to multiple reports. It's a good-sized "prove it" opportunity for the former first-round pick, who managed just a half-sack, 2 tackles for loss and 8 QB hits over 15 appearances with the Saints last season. Davenport topped out at 9 sacks (in 11 games) the year before but clearly disappointed across five years in New Orleans. Injuries played a big role. So we'll see whether he can hit 2023 healthy, stay there, and repay the Vikings for the opportunity. His arrival could signal the departure of EDGE Za'Darius Smith, who recently asked the team to let him pursue trade opportunities.
As expected, Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is active for today's game against the Cowboys. He's likely to play limited snaps vs. his usual usage.
The Vikings expect EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) to play today against the Cowboys, but it sounds like his snaps could be limited vs. usual. "They'll be smart with him, given the quick turnaround for a Thanksgiving game, and make sure he's on the field in pass-rush situations," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. A Vikings beat writer before going national, Pelissero undoubtedly has insight into this situation. Smith, of course, is primarily useful to IDP lineups as a pass-rusher. So he's still usable for fantasy football today. But weigh his potential limitation vs. your other options. We knocked Smith down the Week 11 IDP rankings a little this morning.
Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is active for today's game against the Saints.
Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is questionable for Sunday morning's game against the Saints. He missed the 1st 2 days of practice this week before putting in a limited Friday workout. Smith probably isn't worth the risk for most IDP lineups, but we'll at least know his status early Sunday with the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff in London.
The Vikings are signing EDGE Za'Darius Smith to a 3-year, $42 million deal with a top value of $47 million, according to multiple reports. Smith nearly signed with the Ravens but backed off that and lands with a Minnesota defense that will position him opposite DE Danielle Hunter. It's not yet clear how the new Vikings staff will primarily align its front 7. That only matters for how the positional designations will settle out for IDP leagues. The contract -- and the fact that 2 teams were willing to pay him -- indicates that Smith should be ready to return from the back surgery that halted his 2021 campaign. He has a chance to be a nice value in pressure-friendly fantasy football leagues. Smith totaled 26 sacks over his past 2 healthy campaigns.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that EDGE Za'Darius Smith is not signing with the Ravens, despite previous reports that they'd agreed to terms. So he remains on the free-agent market after his release from the Packers.
The Ravens have agreed to a 4-year, $35 million deal with EDGE Za'Darius Smith, according to multiple reports. Smith played his 1st 4 seasons with Baltimore before leaving for Green Bay in free agency. Smith racked up 26 sacks over 2 years with the Packers before missing nearly all of last season with a back injury. He returns to a Baltimore defense that needs the pass-rush help. The money says the Ravens believe Smith will be all the way back, but we'll keep an eye on his status through the offseason.
The Packers have released EDGE Za'Darius Smith. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith should remain Green Bay's primary edge duo after a season that saw Za'Darius Smith barely play because of a nagging back injury that eventually required surgery. Smith -- who will turn 30 in September -- should find plenty of suitors on the open market if he's back to full health, though.
Packers OLB Za'Darius Smith had back surgery this week and will miss "an extended period of time," according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. There's reportedly "hope" that Smith's season is not over, but that phrasing means it could be. Smith is safe to drop in nearly all IDP redraft formats, in case you had been hanging on to him. His continued absence leaves Preston Smith and Rashan Gary as Green Bay's top 2 on the edge.
The Packers are placing OLB Za'Darius Smith on IR for the back injury that dogged him throughout the summer and limited his Week 1 playing time. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the team hopes a few weeks of rest will allow Smith to return at full strength, rather than having him manage the back issue throughout the season. Smith's absence will mean more playing time on the edges for Rashan Gary and Jonathan Garvin. Gary -- a 1st-round pick in 2019 -- was already viewed as a potential breakout performer for Green Bay this year, after coming on for 5 sacks in a limited role in 2020. He's worth a look in deeper IDP leagues that favor sack/pressure scoring.
Packers OLB Za’Darius Smith is active for today’s game against the Saints. He entered questionable with a back issue and could be limited. But there’s IDP upside for the pass rusher vs. Jamie’s Winston
Packers OLB Za’Darius Smith will play today against the Saints, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Smith is officially questionable with a back issue that kept him out through most of August. We’d still try to not use him in IDP leagues, but his presence is good news for the Green Bay defense
Packers OLB Za'Darius Smith is questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday with his back injury but finished the week sitting out Friday. He's not a good bet or IDP lineups even if he turns up active.
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