Tag: Detroit Lions trade

Film Study: Lions new DE Za’Darius Smith is a near-perfect fit for the Lions defense

Film Study: Lions new DE Za’Darius Smith is a near-perfect fit for the Lions defense

It’s been a few weeks in the making but the Detroit Lions finally made the trade with the Cleveland Browns for Za’Darius Smith. Adding the talented defensive end was much needed after the Lions lost Aidan Hutchinson for the season due to his leg injury.

With this addition, the Lions are getting a veteran defender that has started more than 80 games in his career. During that time, he has over 300 tackles and 65 sacks. The former 4th round pick from the 2015 NFL Draft has found success playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.

Currently, Smith is playing on a 2-year contract worth a total of $23 million dollars. For the Lions, most of that money has been paid out from the Browns so currently, Smith will count as a $605,000 cap hit for the Lions (per Spotrac). There is an option for the Lions to let him go after the season, if it isn’t a fit and it wouldn’t cost them anything in dead cap money. If the Lions decided to bring him back for 2025 to pair with Hutchinson, it would only cost them a cap hit of $5.4 million dollars.

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So, the tenured player has been a productive player and has more than a reasonable contract for the Lions. But what does he bring to the team? Let’s jump into some film to see what Smith will provide the Lions defense moving forward!

 

During the absence of Hutchinson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has done a good job getting creative to generate pressure. Whether it be blitzing from all angles or designing a variation of line stunts, Glenn is doing whatever he can to form some type of pass rush.

Now his job gets somewhat easier to execute that game plan with the addition of Za’Darius Smith. Looking at the play above, you’ll see Za’Darius Smith (Browns DE 99) executing a T/E stunt for the Browns defense last season against the Texans.

Watch as he loops inside; he has more than enough speed and burst to get through the hole and close to the quarterback. Fortunately for the quarterback, he’s able to get the pass the ball while throwing off his back foot. However, it’s 3rd-and-long, and it’s one of those plays where Smith interrupts the timing, and it could lead to a sack or turnover. Adding that to a defense that is 2nd in the NFL with 11 interceptions on defense could do wonders for this unit.

 

Jumping into some tape from this year, one thing that immediately stood out with Smith is how he provides alignment versatility. He can play in a wide-9, tilt-5 and pretty much anywhere else a defensive coordinator wants to put him.

Looking at the play above, you’ll see Smith (Browns DE 99) align standing up over the right tackle as a 5-technique. However, he’s aimed or tilted towards the right guard. As he goes to rip across the face of the right guard, his pad level is a bit too high but he does his job by collapsing the middle as an interior pass rusher.

This works perfectly as there’s an outside rush from two defenders with wide alignments. This forces the quarterback to step up in the pocket and this is where he’s met by Smith for the sack.

 

Lastly, I want to highlight Smith’s ability to stop the run. Looking at the play above from a game against the Ravens this year, we’ll see Smith (Browns DE 99) is aligned over the tight end to the right of the formation.

Once the ball is snapped, Smith displays good burst while being able to rip across the face of the tight end. In the process, he bends down the line-of-scrimmage and helps make the tackle.

Having Smith present on the Lions defensive line won’t just help with generating a pass rush. He will also assist in stopping the run and teams will have to find ways to block him.

Overall, this deal had to be done by the Lions. They needed help up front for their defense and they should get it moving forward. So far this season, Smith has played 324 defensive snaps (per PFF).

This has led to 5 sacks and 27 pressures for Smith this season. From PFF, he’s earned a 73.6 overall grade and a 71.1 pass rush grade. Certainly, Smith is not graded as highly as Aidan Hutchinson but he will enter as the highest graded edge defender that is active on the team right now.

Pairing Smith with Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Josh Paschal and the rest of their defensive line combinations should do wonders for this Lions defense. Having a defensive end that can turn speed-to-power, align anywhere on the line-of-scrimmage and execute the designed line stunts will be impactful. This move was the correct one by the Lions franchise and it should pay off in a big way for the next year and a half.

Looking into the Lions future draft picks after the NFL trade deadline

Recapping what picks the Lions have in the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts after the NFL trade deadline

The trade deadline has officially wrapped up and the Lions have made their move, trading with the Cleveland Browns for premier edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, who will fill in for an injured Aidan Hutchinson.  That being said, in a year where Detroit has a chance at a Super Bowl, they still have a lot of hope for the future in their remaining picks. 

Lions 2025 Picks

Retained Detroit picks:

First-round pick

Second-round pick

Fourth-round pick 

Seventh-round pick 

 

Picks acquired through trades

Sixth-round pick via Buccaneers- Back in March, the Lions traded away their 2025 sixth-round pick for Buccaneers cornerback and Super Bowl champion Carlton Davis. Outside of Davis, Detroit received a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Seventh-Round pick via Cowboys- The Lions retained the pick after trading up for Terrion Arnold in the 2024 draft. The Cowboys traded the 24th overall pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick for Detroit’s 29th and 73rd overall picks.

 

Picks Traded away

Third-round pick- In another trade-up situation, the Lions gave away their third-round pick to the Jets to draft offensive tackle, Giovanni Manu. 

Fourth-round pick from Eagles- Detroit traded their fourth-round pick to the Eagles to move up to draft safety/running back Sione Vaki.

Fifth-round pick- Just traded to the Browns for edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.

Sixth-round pick- During last year’s trade deadline, the Lions traded their sixth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Detroit 2026 Picks

Retained Lions Picks:

First round pick 

Second round pick 

Third round pick 

Fourth round pick 

Fifth round pick 

Seventh round pick 

Picks Acquired Through Trades:

Seventh-Round Pick- Traded by Browns for Za’Darius Smith.

Picks Traded Away:

Sixth-round pick- Traded to the Browns for Za’Darius Smith.

It has been an exciting season so far for Detroit, but the Lions also have to be excited about the possibility of new superstars wearing blue and gray in the future. 

What they’re saying about Za’Darius Smith trade for the Detroit Lions

What they’re saying about Za’Darius Smith trade for the Detroit Lions around the world wide web

The Detroit Lions found their edge rusher to fill the Aidan Hutchinson void by acquiring Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns. Fans and the media seemed quite pleased with the addition as the Lions make their Super Bowl push.

Here are a few thoughts from across social media on the move and the newest member of the Pride.

 

 

 

 

 

Za’Darius Smith: What the Lions are getting in their new EDGE

Breaking down new Detroit Lions EDGE Za’Darius Smith and what the Lions are getting in the veteran pass rusher

The Detroit Lions traded to bring in veteran EDGE Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns. Adding Smith helps stabilize a Detroit defensive line that has lost both starting EDGEs for the season and also other key reserves at times in recent weeks, leaving the Lions pass rush anemically thin.

Smith is probably a familiar name to Lions fans after he spent the 2019-2021 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and then also played the 2022 season in Minnesota. He hit double-digit sacks in all three seasons where he played, missing all but one game of the 2021 campaign with a back injury.

Smith openly chastised the Packers organization for how they handled his injury, going so far as to sign with the Vikings specifically to play against Green Bay twice a year. That’s a good peek at the mindset Smith brings into Detroit.

What the Lions are getting in Za’Darius Smith

Smith is an ideal athletic fit for what the Lions covet in an EDGE. The 32-year-old is 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds and can play either standing up or with a hand in the dirt on either side of the formation. In Cleveland the last two seasons, with Jim Schwartz as his defensive coordinator, Smith has primarily played standing up on the side opposite Myles Garrett.

Smith can still “crush the can” as a pass rusher, blasting off the line into the tackle and driving into the backfield. His powerful arms allow him to push off the tackle and make a secondary move to either side. Similar to now-injured Lions starter Marcus Davenport, Smith has enough lateral quickness to help lure a blocker off-balance with a step or a shoulder feign and then the strength to capitalize off it.

He’s probably lost a half-step of quickness and closing burst in the last couple of seasons. That could be more of an issue in Detroit than it was in playing with Myles Garrett, because the Lions lack the finisher to terminate a pressure Smith creates but can’t finish on his own. This play from Week 8 is a good example; Smith (No. 99 at LDE) creates the sack for a teammate:

 

Still, Smith has five sacks on the season, including one of Chargers QB Justin Herbert on Sunday. If he gets a paw on the QB (or RB in the backfield), the play typically ends. It is worth noting that his missed tackle rate has spiked up in the last two seasons; per PFF it’s currently above 21 percent in 2024.

He’s been lauded for his leadership at every stop along the way, going back to his time with the Baltimore Ravens. Smith began his career in Baltimore as a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Like current Lions EDGE Josh Paschal, Smith played collegiately at Kentucky.

Expect Smith to start right away and play full-time reps as the new primary EDGE pass rusher in Detroit. As a side benefit, that means players like Paschal and Al-Quadin Muhammad are going to be relied upon for less.

 

Lions trade up to draft Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Lions trade up with the Dallas Cowboys to draft Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

The Detroit Lions waited a while before making their move in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. The Lions traded up to the No. 24 overall pick from No. 29, dealing with the Dallas Cowboys to jump up and select Alabama CB Terrion Arnold.

The Lions traded No. 29 overall and a third-round pick, No. 73, acquired in the T.J. Hockenson trade from the Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys traded No. 24 and a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft to land Arnold.

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Video: Recapping the Detroit Lions first day of free agency (and trade)

Video: Recapping the Detroit Lions moves on the first day of NFL free agency, plus Marshawn Kneeland’s pro day

It was a busy Monday in Lions land, the opening day of the NFL’s free agency “legal tampering” period. Teams were free to agree to deals with free agents, though the contracts cannot be signed or made official until Wednesday afternoon.

The Lions made a few moves:

–Re-signing RG Graham Glasgow

–Trading for Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis

–Agreeing to terms with Vikings (and ex-Saints) DE Marcus Davenport

–Waving goodbye to LG Jonah Jackson

I shot a quick little video reaction to the day’s action in Detroit. It was also Western Michigan’s pro day, and the Lions were among 23 teams in Kalamazoo to check out DE Marshawn Kneeland. It leads to a little bit of draft talk at the end of the video.

An audio-only version will be available via your favorite podcast provider by Tuesday morning.

Trade alert: Lions make a deal for Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis

Davis has started 75 games in six seasons in Tampa Bay and is under contract through 2024

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a trade!

The Detroit Lions have traded a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In exchange for the pick, Detroit will receive starting cornerback Carlton Davis, a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

It’s a move that brings instant stability and credibility to the Lions at the outside cornerback position. Davis, 27, has started 75 games for Tampa Bay over the last six seasons.

The 6-foot-1 Davis is entering the final year of his contract. He is due $14.5 million for 2024 and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season unless the Lions agree to a contract extension.

Detroit held two picks in the third round and is sending their own pick, No. 61 overall, to the Buccaneers in the deal. The Lions will keep Minnesota’s pick at No. 73 overall from the T.J. Hockenson trade. Tampa Bay has two sixth-round picks in 2024 and it is not yet clear which of those conveys to Detroit in the trade.

Lions should have real interest in Eagles’ desire to trade EDGE Haason Reddick

Lions should have real interest in the Eagles’ desire to trade EDGE Haason Reddick, but there are complicating factors in making it happen

Last night’s Super Bowl officially ended the 2023 season. It’s time now for free agency and the draft, and loading up the Detroit Lions for another deep playoff run, hopefully one that culminates in playing in next year’s final game.

There’s another way to add impact talent to the roster: trades. And the Philadelphia Eagles have created an opportunity for the Lions to answer one of their biggest questions on defense.

The Eagles have given permission to edge rusher Haason Reddick to seek a trade. Reddick has hit double figures in sacks in each of the last four seasons, with 11 in 2023 after 16 in his fantastic 2022 campaign. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of the most consistent stand-up pass rushers in the league.

Yes, the Lions should have interest in trading for Reddick. But it’s not as simple as GM Brad Holmes calling up his Eagles counterpart, Howie Roseman, and snatching away a good starter for nothing.

First, there’s the matter of salary. Reddick is due $15.5 million in the final year of the three-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Eagles in 2022. There’s also a $1 million roster bonus due on March 15 that likely serves as an unofficial deadline for the Eagles to get a trade done.

The Lions can readily absorb the $15.5 million hit. But one of the reasons the Eagles are prepared to move on is because Reddick, who turns 30 in September, has already been angling for a deal similar to what Montez Sweat (Chicago Bears) and Rashan Gary (Green Bay Packers) have gotten recently. That’s in the range of $20 million to $24 million per year.

Making that kind of contract fit would be difficult for Detroit. Remember, the Lions have to pay (in no particular order) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jared Goff and at least one of their starting guards a lot more money than they get now — all in the next six to 12 months.

Of course, the Lions could view Reddick as an expensive one-year rental, but that would figure to lower what Detroit would be willing to give up to acquire him. The Lions will not be the only bidder. Pay attention to the wording from the Eagles, too. They’ve given permission to Reddick to seek a trade. Read as: Reddick and his representation get to seek out the best deal they can find, and then the Eagles have to agree to it. Reddick wants to cash in before he turns 30 and before his decline in overall play starts to get more noticeable. He has never been a great run defender or tackler with the Eagles, Panthers or Cardinals, so keeping up the sacks and pressures is mandatory to his value.

The 11 sacks were great, and the manner in which Reddick gets them would perfectly fit into the Lions defense on the opposite side of Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit should definitely be interested in paying Reddick for the 11 sacks and the closing speed around the outside edge that the team sorely lacked in 2023. But they have to be careful not to expect the 16-sack season that Reddick posted in 2022, when he was named second-team All-Pro. That sure looks like an anomalous peak season.

That distinction might not seem important, but it certainly is for Reddick. This is most likely his last chance to get a big paycheck, and he’ll emphasize his peak. So will the Eagles in any trade discussion, and that’s the difference between (spitballing here) two Day 2 picks over the next two drafts or a second-round pick this year and a sixth-round pick swap in 2025. For a team like the Lions, who build so carefully in the draft, that’s a big deal.

I would expect Holmes and the Lions to be a leading contender to acquire Reddick. They should be, anyway. He’d make for a wonderful complement to Hutchinson and give the pass rush the dimension it sorely lacked from the likes of Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara and an injured James Houston in 2023. But the price will need to be right, and that’s something the Lions cannot control.

Sean McVay admits he could have handled the Jared Goff departure better

McVay: “I think we’re all better being able to look back on those things and I do have more appreciation for him as time goes on.”

Jared Goff is having a fantastic run as the quarterback of the Detroit Lions. It took a little time for Goff to get to this point after his messy divorce from the Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay.

Now that Goff is facing his old team and coach in Sunday’s postseason game in Ford Field, McVay admits that time has healed some of the wounds. McVay also acknowledged he inflicted those wounds on Goff and is pleased that the Lions quarterback is back to playing really good football.

McVay was asked about the impression that he never took a stake in the moment with Goff in Los Angeles in dismissing Goff after three playoff runs in four seasons.

“I just think growing as a person, handling every situation the way that you want to with perspective, respect, appreciation,” McVay said. “The thing that I’ll never run away from are mistakes that I’ve made in previous instances. But when you look back on it the gratitude for those four years, all the good memories that we had. And then when you end up making a change that ended up being difficult and could it have been handled better on my end? Absolutely. I’ll never run away from that.”

An introspective McVay continued,

“But the further you get away from it, the more that you try to grow as a man, as a person, as the leader that you want to become. He deserved better than the way that it all went down. I’ll acknowledge that. I think he knows that too. I’m not afraid to admit to those things, but I think we’re all better being able to look back on those things and I do have more appreciation for him as time goes on.”

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Donovan Peoples-Jones: What the Lions are getting in their new wide receiver

Breaking down what the Detroit Lions are trading for in new wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones

Welcome home, Donovan Peoples-Jones!

The Detroit native and former Michigan Wolverine wideout is the newest member of the Lions. The team traded a sixth-round pick in 2025 to the Cleveland Browns for Peoples-Jones ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

What are the Lions getting in Peoples-Jones?

He’s a familiar name for a lot of fans, of course. A speedy 6-foot-2 wideout from Cass Tech High School, Peoples-Jones has spent his entire NFL career in Cleveland. I covered his first three seasons there for Browns Wire and have watched him closely since Cleveland selected him in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

“DPJ,” as he’s known, is a vertical threat of a receiver with excellent straight-line speed. He was a part-time player for the Browns in his first two seasons, rising from 14 catches as a rookie to 34 in his second season. His rookie campaign was spent primarily as Odell Beckham Jr.’s backup.

The 2022 season was his first time getting a chance to start and he blossomed into a useful No. 2 receiver opposite Amari Cooper. He saw more action working his speed out of the slot and it worked well, catching 61 passes for 839 yards and three touchdowns–all career-highs.

Despite playing a lot in 2023, the production has gone down: 8 catches on 18 targets. The Browns have had a revolving door at quarterback and that has hurt Peoples-Jones, who is a wideout who needs trust from his quarterback to play well. The Browns offense has deployed him more on shorter routes and that takes away from his strengths; he’s not a “get-open-quick” kind of player or a shifty route runner.

Drops haven’t been a big issue, though fumbling after the catch (or return) is something that has dogged DPJ going back to Michigan. He’s never been a great runner after the catch aside from being out in space. Peoples-Jones won’t break many tackles and goes down on first contact more than desired. He is a tough blocker who understands his assignments well.

He’s also proven to be an accomplished return man. He only returned kickoffs as a rookie but has maintained his role as a punt returner into 2023. He was one of the NFL’s best in 2022, though he’s not been so effective this year with a 6.5-yard average on 13 returns.

Role in Detroit

This is a move made for depth more than on-field impact. Peoples-Jones figures to be a versatile backup for Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams who can also play the Kalif Raymond role with more size, if needed. Peoples-Jones checks the boxes of a smart player on and off the field who is competitive and works hard, mandatory qualities for the Lions.

He’s in the final year of his rookie contract, making DPJ a free agent at the end of the season. In that sense, it’s an audition for a potential one-year extension or for coming back as an unrestricted free agent.