One by one, the best pass-rushers in the free agency market have signed deals elsewhere. The Green Bay Packers have yet to address their biggest area of need, and they may be out of luck.
The Packers must prioritize the defensive line during next month's draft, having struck out in free agency.
Barring a blockbuster but unlikely trade for All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, the Packers will require help from a draft pick or two, along with improved performances from Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness.
Despite having rumored interest, the Packers missed out on free agent Dante Fowler Jr., who signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, the best remaining free-agent option is also one that will likely never happen.
Za'Darius Smith is the best remaining free-agent pass-rusher, but Packers can probably forget about a reunion
Za'Darius Smith is the best remaining pass-rusher in the free-agent market. The 32-year-old proved he can still play at a high level last season, making five sacks in nine games for the Cleveland Browns before adding four in eight contests for the Detroit Lions.
Per Pro Football Focus, Smith's 67 pressures ranked 11th among all edge-rushers, comfortably more than any Packers player. Rashan Gary came closest with 49.
The Lions released Smith this offseason due to his salary. It was a cap-saving move.
He is far from the perfect player. Smith isn't a consistent tackler or a great run defender, but his pass-rush ability would undoubtedly help Green Bay's defense.
The problem? A reunion with the Packers will likely never happen. We can never say never in the NFL, but this feels highly unlikely.
In December, Smith didn't hold back with his criticism of the Packers when speaking to Tyler Dunne of Go Long. He has also repeatedly talked about wanting revenge on his former team, including after Detroit's victory over Green Bay at Ford Field.
Brian Gutekunst rarely brings back former players, to a fault sometimes (see: Davante Adams), but a Smith reunion feels impossible at this point. That bridge appears to be well and truly burned.
According to Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Company, three remaining free-agent pass-rushers had a higher pressure rate than Van Ness last season: Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Von Miller.
Reuniting with Preston Smith makes little sense, considering he struggled in Jeff Hafley's system, requested a trade, and then got cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Miller is almost 36 years old and nearing the end of his career.
Of the three, Za'Darius Smith is by far the best choice. Yeah, Gutekunst better start brushing up on the top pass-rushers in next month's draft.
