Can Za-Darius Smith Help Myles Garret Finally Win DPOY?
Photo Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns suffered last year on the defensive line. A lack of sack production and run-stopping ability loomed large, costing the team multiple important games. Last season, Myles Garrett finished fourth overall in the league in sack totals with 16. If Garrett finished with 16 sacks, then how were sacks an issue on the team at large?
Taven Bryan was second on the team in sack totals, notching just three over 16 games played. Jadeveon Clowney, who was supposed to be Garrett’s No. 2 man, only managed 2.5 sacks. It’s safe to say that Garrett carried the entire line on his back last year, and it was clear as day that he desperately needed help.
With Clowney out the door, the Browns needed someone to fill the spot alongside Garrett. The team believes they have found just the man for the job in Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith.
The addition of Smith will definitely take some weight off Garrett’s shoulders at the DE position, allowing both to produce more sacks and fumbles as well as help the D-Line in general. Smith’s arrival may even be the advantage Garrett needs to finally obtain his first Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Browns traded for Smith, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, during the 2022 off-season, giving away a 2024 and 2025 fifth-round pick. Along with Smith, the Browns also received a 2025 sixth-round and seventh-round pick.
Ever since joining the Packers in 2019, Smith has been the primary guy upfront when it comes to disrupting QB play. Smith led the Packers in sacks during his tenure, totaling 13.5 in 2019 and 12.5 in 2020. After missing practically all 2021 due to back surgery, Smith joined the Vikings the following year. He finished with 10 sacks, just behind team sack leader Danielle Hunter’s 10.5.
To bolster this defensive line and help Garrett achieve DPOY-levels of production, the Browns couldn’t have just gotten another No. 2 guy, they needed another No. 1, and that’s exactly what they got with Smith. A great comparison that shows the importance of having a second No 1 on the line is 2021 DPOY, T.J. Watt.
In 2021, Watt accounted for 22.5 of the Steelers 55 sacks. Seconding Watt at sack totals was DT Cameron Heyward, who would surely be viewed as a No. 1 guy on many other teams. In Watt’s DPOY campaign, Heyward assisted with 10 sacks of his own, showing the importance of having a “No. 1 No. 2.”
Garrett has been on a tear ever since joining the league, posting 74.5 sacks over just six seasons, yet he has never been able to call himself the DPOY. For what seems like the past few seasons, Garrett has always been in the talks for DPOY mid-way through the season but is always beaten out as other players like Watt or Nick Bosa are able to maintain the same production or even improve towards the end of the season.
With Smith’s help on the line, as well as the many additions the Browns made to the defense this off-season, Garrett’s chances of receiving his first DPOY have gone up dramatically. Having a DPOY on your team is always amazing, and no doubt Garrett would love to add that to his accolades. However, even if he does not come away with the award this year, Smith’s addition will be a win for the Browns’ defense, and Garrett in particular.
In 2020 and 2021, the Browns always had a No. 2 sacker next to Garrett. Garrett sacked opposing QBs 12 times in 2020, with DE Olivier Vernon getting nine. In 2021, Garrett had 16 sacks, with Clowney copying Vernon’s numbers, also having nine. Garrett had another 16-sack year in 2022, but with the sudden disappearance of Clowney’s production, Garrett was all alone at the line.
Some fans may be worried that Smith could just be another Clowney. The skepticism is understandable – after all, we are Browns fans – but if you just look at the stats and ability of both players, you can see that Smith is significantly better than Clowney. If Clowney was able to put up nine sacks with Garrett beside him, what Smith will be able to do for Garrett and the line as a whole should be nothing short of greatness.
If Smith can keep the same production rolling as he has for his entire career heretofore and remains the same double-digit sacker he was in Minnesota and Green Bay, he will help Garrett and the Browns be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
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