Mike Moraitis
As Detroit Lions fans patiently wait for their team to make a move for an edge rusher ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5, there is now at least one name we can hang our hats on as an actual target for the Lions.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Lions have checked in with several teams about an edge rusher, but she mentions Cleveland Browns edge rusher Za’Darius Smith specifically as one of their targets. Russini adds that the Lions hope to land Smith ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
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“It’s no secret Lions coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have been hunting for an edge rusher since losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury,” Russini wrote. “(Hutchinson hasn’t played since Oct. 13 but is still third in the NFL in sacks.) The team has checked in with numerous teams around the league, including Cleveland with hopes of landing Za’Darius Smith.”
Smith is one of the most coveted edge rushers among those realistically expected to be available at the deadline. Of course, teams would prefer superstar edge rushers like Smith’s teammate, Myles Garrett, or Maxx Crosby, but neither is expected to be dealt.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Smith would be a fantastic option for Detroit. He’s tallied double-digit sacks three times during his career and after a down season in 2023 in which some thought the 32-year-old might be on the decline, he has five sacks in 2024, which is just a half of a sack shy of what he recorded last season.
On top of being a proven option, Smith brings a ton of playoff experience with him to Detroit, which is important to note with the Lions having legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
Adding to all that, Smith has one more year left on his contract, so he won’t be a rental and the Lions can pair him with Aidan Hutchinson in 2025. Smith has already expressed interest in playing for the Lions, also.
“Hate that injury happened to him, a guy that was on his way to get Defensive Player of the Year possibly,” he said of Hutchinson, per Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. “That’s a big loss for them. But if I was to go to Detroit, I would like it, because I get to play Green Bay twice a year and the Vikings twice a year. So, yeah, that’ll be big.”
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns are looking for a “really good Day 3 pick” for Smith, which likely means a fourth-rounder. Detroit has a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft, as well as a fifth, so that won’t be an issue.
Smith is probably the best of the bunch when it comes to the edge rushers that are realistically available, and he’s a perfect match for the Lions. General manager Brad Holmes should absolutely bring him in.