The long-standing rumors proved correct in this case. The Cleveland Browns have traded EDGE Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions hours ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.
The trade
Cleveland sends Za’Darius Smith and a 2026 7th-round pick to the Lions in exchange for a 5th-round pick in 2025 and a 6th-round pick in 2026.
The Browns add a couple of later-round picks from Detroit to unload Smith, a starter in 25 games in the last season and a half in Cleveland. The 32-year-old played well, bagging five sacks in nine games in 2024–including one in the Browns Week 9 loss to the Chargers.
As an older but still effective player with a contract that could be moved, Smith proved a popular trade target.