After several weeks of trade rumors and suggestions flying all over the place, the Detroit Lions have indeed completed a deal. The Lions are acquiring veteran EDGE Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
Trade details
The Lions get EDGE Za’Darius Smith and a 7th-round pick in 2026 from Cleveland
Cleveland gets Detroit’s 5th rounder in 2025 and a 6th-round pick in 2026
Smith, 32, has started all of the Browns games in the last two seasons, primarily playing the stand-up EDGE spot opposite Myles Garrett. He had five sacks in Cleveland’s first eight games after bagging 5.5 sacks in 2023.
With season-ending injuries to starters Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport, plus a preseason injury to veteran John Cominsky and recent health issues for Josh Paschal, the Lions were desperate to bring in pass-rushing help. Smith should instantly vault to the top of the EDGE depth chart for the rest of 2024. He is also under contract for 2025, though the Lions might seek to rework that deal once the trade is in the books.