DETROIT WXYZ — With the NFL trade deadline less than half a day away, the Detroit Lions are enhancing their defensive line.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport the Lions are trading for Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith. I first want to wish everyone a Happy Tuesday and second just to confirm the details from Rapoport that the Lions are closing on Smith and a seventh-round pick in 2026 for a Lions fifth-round pick in 2025 and a Lions sixth-round pick in 2026.
This season Smith has played and made 23 tackles with 7 QB hits and 5.0 sacks. The 10-year veteran is familiar with the NFC North: All three Pro Bowl performances were made in 2019-2020 for the Green Bay Packers and 2022 for the Minnesota Vikings.
Smith had been with the Browns since last year or technically the year prior after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He plays for the first-year of the two year $23 million deal that he penned down with the Browns team, with $12 million of the deal being assured.
They get a much-needed pass rusher after their star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson had to undergo surgery after he suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in the Lions victory over the Dallas Cowboys last month. Campbell said after the injury that Hutchinson will be out for approximately 4-6 months, but might return for the Super Bowl in case the Lions get there. Through the midway point of the NFL season, the Lions sit 17th in the league — or right around the NFL average — with 24 sacks.
There’s no heir apparent for Hutchinson’s production but an experienced pass rusher such as Smith should be able employ one of Detroit’s few weaknesses.
The Lions are now atop of the NFC North with a record of 7-1 and are slated to play against the Houston Texans in the Sunday Night football match this coming weekend, November 10. That game is set to tip-off at 8:20 p.m. ET.
As I am writing this on Tuesday morning it is still not clear when Smith will be able to report to his new team since the trade has not been officially announced by the Lions. We will cover Smith’s first press briefing should he ever holds one; more on that, you will find on 7 News Detroit.
