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Green Bay Packers: Ranking their free agent signings

By Brandon Carwile

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings hits the ground on an incomplete pass on fourth down in the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings hits the ground on an incomplete pass on fourth down in the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 2: Jake Matthews #70 of the Atlanta Falcons blocks against ZaDarius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

3. Edge Za’Darius Smith

Contract: Four years, $66 million

Smith was Green Bay’s first big signing of free agency. The Green Bay Packers were able to nab him after a productive year with the Baltimore Ravens in which he totaled 8.5 sacks despite starting in half the games.

Smith’s contract appears to be based on pure potential and the team clearly believes he’s coming into his own right now. In fact, Gutekunst confirmed the Packers tried to acquire Smith from the Ravens a few years back but were unsuccessful. Now feels like the perfect time for his acquisition with the defense taking on a completely new look.

Smith has shown the ability to win on the edge and on the interior as a three-technique defensive end. He’s extremely powerful with his hands allowing him to shed blocks and he has the athleticism to track down quarterbacks and ball carriers. The Packers have really missed all-around athleticism from their outside linebackers in the past and Smith brings just that.

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