5 Vikings newcomers projected to start in 2022
By Adam Carlson
Za’Darius Smith, linebacker
The big splash in free agency this offseason came when the Minnesota Vikings made the decision to sign former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to a three-year, $42 million contract.
Minnesota will put Smith opposite Danielle Hunter in their base 3-4 defense. That strategy should allow the Vikings to get consistent pressure around the edge and force opposing offenses to get rid of the ball quicker than they would like.
At 29 years old, Smith is still young enough to be around for several years to find his success with the purple and gold. The two-time Pro Bowl talent accumulated 26 sacks on 60 quarterback hits in his last 33 games played and added five forced fumbles in that time.
Za’Darius Smith only played in one contest during the 2021 season due to a back injury and will need to prove he can be the player he was for Green Bay prior to getting hurt. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem for Smith, who should pair well with Hunter in the new-look defense.