Tag: zadarius smith

WATCH: Za’Darius Smith is back to work just one day after joining the Browns

No days off for Smith.

Just one day after getting traded to the Cleveland Browns, defensive end Za’Darius Smith is already back to work. Posted on the Instagram of his training facility, Smith is shown putting in the work on the sled to improve his lower body explosiveness. There are no days off for the veteran defensive end.

Joining Myles Garrett and Ogbo Okoronkwo, the Browns now have a formidable pass rush rotation for the first time since Olivier Vernon had a breakout season (that inevitably ended in a season-ending injury). Look out, opposing quarterbacks, the Browns have a lethal trio of pass rushers to attack offensive tackles with.

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Browns: 5 takeaways from the trade with Vikings for DE Za’Darius Smith

What can we takeaway from the deal that sent Za’Darius Smith to the Browns?

The Cleveland Browns dropped a news dump on a Friday evening, acquiring Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Minnesota Vikings for just the cost of two Day 3 pick swaps. They now add Smith to a room that already consisted of Myles Garrett, Ogbo Okoronkwo, 2022 third rounder Alex Wright, and 2023 fourth rounder Isaiah McGuire.

As the Browns now field a significantly improved defensive front in 2023 after putting together the worst in the league a year ago, they understand their window to compete is now. What are the biggest takeaways from this deal for Smith? We take a look here.

Browns blockbuster trade gives defense impressive pass rushing trio

Cleveland’s three pass rushers will give opposing quarterback’s nightmares.

Defensive end Myles Garrett didn’t get much help pressuring the quarterback during the 2022 season for the Browns. But general manager Andrew Berry has made sure that doesn’t happen again in the fall. First, the team signed Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to play opposite Garrett, and then on Friday they traded for three-time pro bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Vikings.

This gives the Browns a heck of a trio of pass rushers and new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has to be the happiest person in Cleveland. Last season Za’Darius Smith had 78 pressures for comparison Myles Garrett had 73 pressures for the Browns according to PFF.

Then you add in Okoronkwo’s 36 off the bench and you have one of the better pass-rushing trios in the NFL. They added depth to a room that suffered injuries last season to help keep players fresh and quarterbacks on the ground.

The Browns’ defensive line will look different this fall and with these three pass rushers, they will have a terrifying group for opposing offensive coordinators to try to contain. As long as there aren’t any injuries there isn’t any reason this defense can’t be at least in the top half of the league.

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Compensation announced for Browns’ Za’Darius Smith trade

The Browns gave up two draft picks in their trade with the Vikings for veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith

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The Cleveland Browns made a bold move by adding veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith on Friday, and compensation for the deal was announced shortly after news broke that the teams had reached an agreement.

Cleveland is set to give up fifth-round selections in the next two drafts for Smith. They will also receive sixth and seventh-round selections in 2025 as part of the deal, giving the team some flexibility moving forward.

All in all, the Browns didn’t have to give up significant assets to acquire Smith, who has been one of the most consistently productive pass rushers in the NFL since entering the league as a fourth-round pick in 2015.

Originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, he spent time with the Green Bay Packers before signing with the Vikings last year. Now set to be a key member of the Browns’ defensive line alongside Myles Garrett, Smith’s outlook for the 2023 season is superb, as he looks to earn himself a massive extension when his contract expires next March.

Browns trade with Vikings for veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith

The #Browns traded with the #Vikings to acquire veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith on Friday evening, shoring up their defensive line

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The Cleveland Browns upgraded their defensive line in a big way by adding veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith via a trade with the Minnesota Vikings on Friday. The move comes just weeks after the 2023 NFL draft, wherein Cleveland invested heavily in the unit with their first two picks.

Smith had lobbied Minnesota to be released earlier in the offseason and had to wait a few months before being dealt to the Browns, who are set to pay him upwards of $11 million next season. This trade benefits both parties and should prove to help each team moving forward as they look to become serious playoff contenders in 2023.
The Browns’ defensive line gains valuable experience with this move, and the Vikings get some much-needed salary cap relief that could free up space to extend wide receiver, Justin Jefferson.
Time will tell who ultimately “wins” this trade, but at this juncture in the 2023 offseason, it seems that both teams got what they wanted.