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Green Bay Packers: 4 Most Versatile Players

By Brian Sampson

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 15: Outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers walks off the field after the 21-13 win over the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on December 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 15: Outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers walks off the field after the 21-13 win over the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on December 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 23: Outside linebacker Za’Darius S mith #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a defensive play during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Za’Darius Smith, EDGE

One year after signing a four-year, $66 million deal with the Packers in free agency, Za’Darius Smith quickly established himself as one of the most underpaid defensive players in the NFL. That was quite the leap from a part-time player with the Baltimore Ravens to a full-time difference-maker with the Pack.

Smith did most of his damage from the traditional outside linebacker spot in the 3-4 defense. He led the Packers with 13.5 sacks on the season and was even more savage to quarterbacks than his raw passing numbers suggest.

Pettine found success with Smith by lining him up on the defensive line as well–something you can expect a lot more of next season. With Rashan Gary chomping at the bits and having his first full offseason under his belt, Pettine and the Packers will put Gary on the outside while moving Smith all over the field, a strategy that already has offensive coordinators staying up at night.

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