Za'Darius Smith's future with Vikings unknown after Marcus Davenport move
The Vikings could grant Smith’s previous request to go a different direction in 2023.
Before free agency began, Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl pass rusher Za'Darius Smith asked the team to release him for unknown reasons.
Logically, the team quickly denied the request. But, Smith could be on his way out after the Vikings decided to sign former New Orleans Saints pass rusher Marcus Davenport to a one-year, $13 million deal.
The Vikings now have a three-headed pass-rushing monster with Davenport in the fold. The best part about the move is new defensive coordinator Brian Flores will certainly be able to find a way to get Davenport, Smith, and Danielle Hunter all on the field at the same time. All three players provide unique skill sets that allow them to line up anywhere on obvious passing downs.
There's also an opening at the one of the defensive end positions. The Cleveland Browns were able to snatch Dalvin Tomlinson on Monday and the Vikings are currently without a proven successor.
One of the three could fill the void, but the problem is Hunter is the only competent run defender of the bunch. The Vikings would really stretch their run defense by having one of those guys man Tomlinson's old position, so it looks like the trio would mostly be on the field during obvious passing downs.
That's not really ideal when all three players are set to count at least $13 million against the cap in 2023. The Vikings can save at least $12 million by releasing Smith, as well. Which obviously adds another layer to the situation.
There's one last catch with all of this, though: Davenport and Smith both have issues staying healthy. Davenport has yet to play a full season in the NFL and Smith's back injury was his downfall in Green Bay. The knee injury he suffered in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills also limited to him to just a half-sack over the last eight games of the season. Smith started the 2022 season with 9.5 sacks in the first nine games.
So, would it be a smart idea to cut a guy when the other hasn't played a full season in the NFL? It's typically not a good idea to make roster decisions based on injury projections/possibilities, but when you have a player that has a history like Davenport's -or even Smith's recent history- it changes things.
The Vikings pass rush will have a lot going for it if they can make all this work. Fortunately, the team has an excellent defensive mind in Flores. If anyone can make it work, it's him.
It'll be very interesting to see how things play out and we should have an answer, soon, when it comes to Smith's future with the Vikings.
