NFC North power rankings: Who is the best pass-rusher?
By Mike Luciano
Preston Smith, Green Bay Packers. 4. player. 49. . .
One of two Smith pass-rushers who signed with Green Bay during the 2019 offseason, Smith left Washington after starting for three seasons. He stepped on the accelerator and had a career year with the Packers, recording 12 sacks and hitting the quarterback 23 times.
The former Mississippi State star always had potential, but he very rarely was able to really take games over in Washington, as evidenced by his four sacks in 2018. Mike Pettine unleashed the beast last season.
While having another promising young pass-rusher in Za’Darius Smith on the other side made life much easier for Smith, what can’t be denied is the fact that Green Bay’s defensive turnaround coincided with the signings of both Smith brothers, as quarterbacks were no longer able to hang back in the pocket, read a book, and pick apart the Packers’ questionable secondary.
Even with a year of film on this duo now out there, don’t expect a regression in 2020.