The Detroit Lions made a play to bolster their pass rush ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.
The Lions acquired veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday, per sources informed of the situation.
Detroit sent a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to Cleveland in exchange for Smith and a 2026 seventh-round selection, Rapoport added. The teams later announced the swap.
The 7-1 Lions desperately needed pass rush help after losing star Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg in October. Outside of defensive tackle Alim McNeill, Detroit has struggled to generate consistent pressure since Hutchinson went down. In Sunday's blowout win over the Green Bay Packers, McNeill had five QB pressures, per Next Gen Stats. The rest of the defensive line had five combined.
The lack of pass rush puts Aaron Glenn's secondary in tough spots. It's a testament to the defensive coordinator and a remade secondary that they've kept opponents out of the end zone as well as they have since losing Hutchinson.
In Smith, Detroit is getting a proven pass rusher who also plays the run well -- something the Lions value in their defensive system. A former Packer and Minnesota Viking, Smith is well-versed in the NFC North and provides an immediate upgrade. His 26 QB pressures in 2024 put him at No. 2 on the Lions, behind only Hutchinson's 30.
The 32-year-old is coming off a down season in 2023, generating 5.5 sacks, but has seen his play return to normal in 2024, generating five in nine games in Cleveland. The veteran admitted that transitioning from playing in a 3-4 scheme to joining the Browns' 4-3 defense took some time for him to get down. The good news for the Lions is that he's shown the ability to turn the corner in a 4-3 this season.
It isn't an earth-shattering move for the NFC North-leading Lions, but it adds a much-needed player who can win one-on-ones. Smith has one year remaining on his contract with $11 million in non-guaranteed money, which likely played a role in the calculus of the deal. He could pair well with Hutchinson next year, or Detroit could move on after the season.
The Browns, off to a 2-7 start, were in clear sell mode. First, they shed Amari Cooper. Now Smith. Getting a fifth-round pick adds to the Browns' growing ledger of picks in 2025 (nine, not counting potential compensatory selections). A 32-year-old pass rusher is a superfluous weapon for a last-place club that sorely needs an injection of youth.
With Lombardi hopes swelling in Detroit, the Lions needed to make a deadline move to add front-line help. Brad Holmes didn't disappoint.