Za'Darius Smith ranked among the NFL Top 100

East Mississippi Community College’s Za’Darius Smith was one of Mark Stoops’ first signees at Kentucky and Stoops’ first NFL draft prospect. A former basketball star, Smith developed as a defensive end in Lexington, then was picked in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Even then, it was hard to imagine Big Z with the big smile would ascend to three-time Pro Bowl status in the National Football League and now, a part of the NFL Top 100.

The former Wildcat is ranked No. 84 in the 2023 edition of the Top 100. Smith was unranked last year.

“Smith has made three out of the last four Pro Bowls on two different teams,” the countdown explains. “In his eighth season, the pass rusher led the Vikings with 24 QB hits and 15 tackles for loss. Smith was only one of two Vikings (Danielle Hunter) in 2022 to record 10 or more sacks. Despite his trade to Cleveland this offseason, Smith has proven he can still pressure quarterbacks in the pocket.”

Za’Darius Smith in Cleveland

Smith is entering his ninth season in the NFL, his first in Cleveland as a member of the Browns. Cleveland traded two 2025 picks, a fourth and a fifth, to get him from Minnesota, where he signed a three-year deal in March of 2022. Smith gave the Vikings one good season in which he recorded 10 sacks in 16 games, along with NFC Defensive Player of the Month and Week honors.

In Cleveland, Smith has a lot of potential playing on the outside opposite of Myles Garrett, but will be asked to rush inside in a versatile role within the Browns’ defense. He’ll play more on the line in a 4-3 defense, rather than his outside linebacker past in Baltimore, Green Bay, and Minnesota.

Hear his new GM explain the new role:

#Browns Andrew Berry on the addition of Za’Darius Smith and what he brings to the defense. pic.twitter.com/MFZvJvBOp1

— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) July 23, 2023