Za'Darius Smith Fantasy
- Height / Weight
- 6'4" / 270 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- September 8, 1992 (31)
- Experience
- 10th Season
- Drafted
- 2015 / Rd. 4 / Pk. 122 (BAL)
- College
- Kentucky
Season Logs
Game Logs
Za'Darius Smith News
The Cleveland Browns re-signed defensive end Za'Darius Smith to an undisclosed deal on Monday, according to sources. Coming off his third Pro Bowl season in 2022 in his only year with the Minnesota Vikings, Smith disappointed in 2023 in his first season in Cleveland, recording 27 tackles (18 solo), 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 20 QB hits and a forced fumble in 16 starts. Despite his lack of on-field production, the 31-year-old pass-rusher rated out well and started every game in which he was active. Smith will be playing in his age-32 season in 2024, and although he might not be able to secure double-digit sacks at this point in his career, he should remain a strong contributor on Cleveland's defensive line across from All-Pro Myles Garrett.
In his first year with the Cleveland Browns, pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith, who is the presumed starting left defensive end in 2023, has looked the part in organized team activities this week and seemed to be engaged and involved with his teammates throughout practices. The 30-year-old was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings this offseason and will be moving from a 3-4 defense in Minnesota to a 4-3 in Cleveland this year. He bounced back in 2022 to provide 44 tackles (32 solo), 10 sacks and a career-high five passes defensed. If Smith can stay healthy in 2023, he'll provide a big boost to the Browns' pass rush alongside Myles Garrett, and he should also be useful in IDP fantasy leagues.
The Cleveland Browns likely view pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith as their starting left defensive end heading into the 2023 season. Myles Garrett has played around 80 percent of the team's defensive snaps over the last four seasons, but Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is 250 pounds and isn't an every-down player at defensive end. Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire are also big enough to play inside in pass-down packages. Smith, 30, had 8.5 sacks in the first seven weeks in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings but just 1.5 the rest of the way. He dealt with a knee injury from November on and continued to play through it, but his production fell off. If he can stay healthy this year in Cleveland, he could put up big numbers for fantasy managers in IDP leagues.
Depth Chart
- Offense
- Defense
FS | Juan Thornhill |
Ronnie Hickman | |
LDE | Myles Garrett |
Ogbo Okoronkwo | |
LDT | Dalvin Tomlinson |
Siaki Ika | |
RDE | Alex Wright |
LOLB | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah |
MLB | Tony Fields II |
LCB | Denzel Ward |
SS | D'Anthony Bell |
RCB | Greg Newsome II |
NB | Martin Emerson Jr. |
KR | Pierre Strong Jr. |
RB | Jerome Ford |
LWR | Amari Cooper |
Jerry Jeudy | |
RWR | Cedric Tillman |
SWR | Elijah Moore |
David Bell | |
TE | David Njoku |
LG | Joel Bitonio |
C | Ethan Pocic |
RG | Wyatt Teller |
RT | James Hudson III |
LS | Charley Hughlett |
K | Dustin Hopkins |