What the Za’Darius Smith trade means for the Lions and Browns

DETROIT – Help is on the way for the Lions.

One of the NFL’s hottest teams is getting a much-needed boost in the pass rush department after Detroit agreed to trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

According to Schefter, Detroit will receive Smith and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick from the Browns and deal a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder in the trade.

After losing Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a broken tibia and fibula in Week 6’s 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the Lions will rely on Smith to return after the loss of Hutchinson will close the gap with a committee approach.

Hutchinson injured his left leg on a play in which he sacked Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Before he was injured, he was considered an early favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year. Entering Week 6, he led the NFL in sacks, pressures and pass rush win rate.

When news of Smith’s move to Detroit broke, Lions coach Dan Campbell made his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket. During the broadcast, he was unable to officially confirm the deal, but reiterated his belief in general manager Brad Holmes.

“Man, I trust him. He knows what he’s doing and if it works, that’s great. If not, then not,” Campbell told the show “Costa & Jansen with Heather.” “But it’s like the idea of ​​giving away a lot of capital for a player that none of us will like, that just doesn’t sit well with any of us.”

“So if it makes sense, then it makes sense. If not, then not, but with what we have here, we will win.”

What does the trade mean for the Lions?

That means the Lions are serious about their pursuit of a Super Bowl title and wanted to address one of their biggest problems, pass rush, even though they’re off to their best start since 1956 at 7-1.

In five games played, Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks. The rest of the Lions’ defensive linemen have recorded a combined 6.5 sacks this season. Smith had 5.0 sacks for Cleveland this season, which would be second-most on the Lions; Alim McNeill has 2.5.

Before Tuesday’s trade deadline, Campbell said they would explore all options at the position but would not pressure anyone to produce at Hutchinson’s level.

“We won’t be able to replace Hutch, but there are other things we can do, and guess what? You put more strain on your back end, that’s what you have to do, and we” “We did that, and they rose to the challenge,” Campbell said Oct. 28 after the Titans’ win. “Was it perfect? No, but we get takeout, which is huge.” –Eric Woodyard

What does the trade mean for the Browns?

With Smith, the Browns lose a leader and experienced pass rusher whose five sacks this season rank behind Myles Garrett.

During his tenure in Cleveland, Smith recorded 10.5 sacks and 27 quarterback hits in 25 games. Smith is the second veteran Cleveland has traded away after a disappointing start to the season. Wide receiver Amari Cooper was traded to the Buffalo Bills last month.

The Browns (2-7) don’t have much depth on defense, but the focus in Cleveland is on the future. Smith’s departure will allow the team to develop and evaluate young players like Isaiah McGuire, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and Sam Kamara, a practice player who received high praise during training camp. – Daniel Oyefusi

How does Smith help the Lions defense?

Smith’s ability to make big plays and win one-on-one matchups will be crucial for Detroit, starting Sunday night in Houston. The Lions will also host Buffalo in Week 15 before a rematch of their 2023 NFC Championship Game against San Francisco in Week 17.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler with 65 career sacks, can also relieve pressure from other players by attracting additional blockers. He provides a pass rush for a Lions line that has difficulty pressuring the quarterback. In the three games without Hutchinson, the Lions have posted a pass rush win rate of 30.6%, ranking 26th in the league over that span. And in the last two games – against Tennessee and Green Bay – the line produced one sack and the pressure rate fell to 27%, compared to 32% in the first six games of the season. — Wood yard

Where do the Browns go from here?

The Browns entered the 2024 season with hopes of strong playoff success, but the team finds itself in a precarious situation, heading for a top draft pick with one of the NFL’s oldest rosters. Cleveland entered Week 1 with 14 players age 30 or older, the most in the league.

There isn’t much cap flexibility with quarterback Deshaun Watson, whose struggles continued in Cleveland before he suffered a season-ending tear to his right Achilles in Week 7. He earned cap hits of $72 million in each of the next two seasons.

The only other way to rebuild the roster is with cheap draft picks, and the Browns have stockpiled for the 2025 draft. Cleveland now has up to nine picks in 2025 and is also expected to receive two late-round compensatory picks. The Browns could increase their surplus by trading more veterans on cheap contracts. — Oyefusi

Was Smith the best available edge rusher on the market?

For Detroit, yes.

Obviously, the Lions, who are in a championship window, place a high value on pedigree and performance. Smith has both.

The Lions don’t care as much about his age (32) because he doesn’t have guaranteed money in 2025. There were younger options on the market — the Giants’ Azeez Ojulari is 24 — but Smith wanted to be in Detroit and he fits the toughness profile. — Fowler