Tag: zadarius smith

Podcast: Browns’ pass rush will be one of the NFL’s best

On paper, Cleveland’s pass rush will be elite.

The trade for Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith will have a ripple effect on the defense of the Cleveland Browns in 2023. Bringing in a player that commands extra attention to play opposite Myles Garrett will give opposing offenses headaches this fall. When you look at the other moves made on the defensive line adding Dalvin Tomlinson and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo it will be hard-pressed to find a pass rush will more firepower.

There are no excuses for the defense to not be in the top half of the league overall especially when it comes to rushing the passer. You can watch this episode talking about the defense outlook and more click here.

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Updated 53-man roster projection after trade for Za’Darius Smith

The Browns made a move for Za’Darius Smith. How does that impact their 53-man roster projection?

The roster currently sits at 90 right now after the Cleveland Browns landed former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Za’Darius Smith in a trade. They then added veteran cornerback Chris Westry to the roster to round it out to completion.

The Browns, however, will have to cut that roster down from 90 to 53 by the time the preseason comes to a close. What could that final 53-man roster look like by the time we reach Week 1? Here is a final 53-man roster projection for the Browns after landing Smith from the Vikings.

ESPN’s Mike Clay ranks Browns’ defensive ends third in NFL after Za’Darius Smith trade

The Browns edge room will be a problem for offensive lines.

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The pass rush of the Cleveland Browns from the defensive end position was already set to improve with the signing of Ogbo Okoronkwo to provide production opposite Myles Garrett. But then general manager Andrew Berry let everyone know they are truly going all in with the trade for pass rusher Za’Darius Smith.

ESPN’s Mike Clay loved the move overall moving the Browns from 14th in his edge rusher rankings all the way to third. Clay only had the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers ranked higher on his list. Having two pass rushers that had over 70 pressure last season starting on the same defensive line is a luxury that not many teams have.

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WATCH: New pass rusher Za’Darius Smith has arrived in Cleveland

Smith is ready to help Cleveland win in the fall.

The Cleveland Browns shocked many when they traded for Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to start opposite Myles Garrett. Smith is by far the most talented pass rusher to start opposite Garrett since he was drafted number one overall. Smith’s 78 pressures in 2022 were more than Garrett, who had 73.

The trade became official today and the team posted a video with Smith showing that he is in Berea at team headquarters today. In the video Smith talked about his excitement to be in town and that the first thing they must do is take the division and make it to the playoffs this season which sounded like a prediction.

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Financial details on Za’Darius Smith’s reworked deal released

The details of Smith’s reworked deal have been released.

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After striking a deal with the Minnesota Vikings for Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to rework the deal with their newest member.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Vikings are set to eat $1.177 million of Smith’s signing bonus. Smith’s cap hit will be just over $3 million in 2023, but Smith can earn up to $13 million this season with the Browns. It remains to be seen how much of the remainder of his deal is a portion of the signing bonus the Browns are on the hook for or how much of the money is incentive-based for Smith.

Regardless, the Browns do not have to do any further financial maneuvering to get Smith in under the salary cap.

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Watch: PFF analyst believes Browns hit home run with Za’Darius Smith

Plenty around the league think the trade was a great move.

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It wasn’t a surprise the Cleveland Browns wanted to add a pass rusher after the 2023 NFL draft, but trading for a star pass rusher in the form of Za’Darius Smith was a bit surprising. Andrew Berry has clarified that Cleveland believes they are Super Bowl contenders this season.

You can count PFF’s Steve Palazzolo among those who believe the trade for Za’Darius Smith was an excellent move for the Browns. During a recent podcast, Palazzolo highlighted how consistent and productive Smith has been over the past three seasons he played (injured for most of 2021). Adding his production to the other additions on this defensive line should result in a scary pass rush if it remains healthy.

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WATCH: Browns safety Rodney McLeod reacts to Za’Darius Smith trade

McLeod couldn’t contain his excitement when he learned of the news.

New Browns safety Rodney McLeod appeared as a guest analyst on NFL Network’s show NFL Total Access all last week. So on Friday during his appearance, the news broke that the Cleveland Browns had acquired three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. You could instantly see on McLeod’s face that he was excited as he smiled ear to ear.

He talked about the overall effect this will have on the defense adding an experienced veteran of Smith’s caliber to what is already in place—pairing a pressure machine like that opposite Myles Garrett to give opposing quarterbacks nightmares. You can click here to see McLeod’s reaction and his initial thoughts.

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Browns waive two after trade for Za’Darius Smith, leave open roster spot

The Browns have made a roster move.

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After landing Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night, the Cleveland Browns have now made room for him on the roster. They have also created an additional spot on the roster as well. Cutting defensive tackle Roderick Perry II and linebacker Storey Jackson, the Browns currently sit at 89 players.

Today is the first day NFL teams are allowed to sign XFL players, and they have already hosted a couple of workouts. This includes the XFL Defensive Player of the Year, Pita Taumoepenu.

Look for another roster move to be made from the Browns soon to fill that spot.

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Za’Darius Smith sends message to Myles Garrett: ‘Let’s eat’

Za’Darius Smith is ready to feast opposite of Myles Garrett

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The Cleveland Browns worked late into Friday evening, finalizing a trade for Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. And they managed to pull it off by executing two pick swaps with the Minnesota Vikings. Reports later came out that Smith favored the Browns over two other suitors, as he saw an opportunity to cash in playing across from All-Pro Myles Garrett.

And Smith has made that known on social media as well, tweeting out “Let’s Eat” under an NFL tweet promoting the new duo in Cleveland. With Garrett, Smith, and Ogbo Okoronkwo as the new pass rushers in Cleveland, the Browns boast one of the best in the league.

Let’s eat.

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Report: Za’Darius Smith chose Browns over two other suitors

The opportunity to play with Myles Garrett was too good to pass up.

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The Cleveland Browns have made waves along their defensive line in 2023, and their newest move was a trade with the Minnesota Vikings for defensive end Za’Darius Smith. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Smith chose the Browns over two other suitors.

According to Fowler, “Smith had two other suitors but found the chance to play opposite Myles Garrett appealing.”

With the addition of Smith, the Browns now have two players in him and Garrett that finished in the top ten in both pressures and pass rush win rate a year ago. Adding in Ogbo Okoronkwo (who finished in the top 20 himself), the Browns now have a formidable trio of pass rushers.

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