Packers' Signing of Za'Darius Smith Could Be Most Underrated Move of Offseason

Several big-name defenders switched teams in recent NFL offseason. And while some of these moves are already working out to varying degrees, perhaps the best one of all is flying a bit under the radar in Green Bay.

The revamped Packers defense has carried the team to its 3-0 start, and that has a lot to do with offseason signee Za'Darius Smith.

At 39%, the Packer defense leads the NFL in quarterback pressure rate despite blitzing at the fifth-lowest frequency. Last season, the team ranked 21st in pressure percentage.

Smith is a big part in these improvements for Green Bay. He is tied for fourth in the NFL with 15 quarterback pressures. Perhaps the 27-year-old is benefitting from a keen defensive scheme led defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Or perhaps Smith went under the radar in the news cycle because he wasn't even the best Ravens defender to depart in free agency?

Whatever the case may be, the cheesehead faithful have got to be smiling from ear to ear.

In three games this year, Smith has picked up three sacks, 11 tackles and three tackles for a loss.

A quarterback of Aaron Rodgers' caliber will generate most of the attention no matter the circumstances. Therefore, it should not be shocking that much of the talk surrounding the Packers is regarding their sluggish offensive start instead of this much-improved D. But until Rodgers gets this offense on track, the guys on the other side of the ball are content to keep carrying the load. And Za'Darius Smith will continue to be front and center in that effort.