In a stunning turn of events, the Detroit Lions have acquired star pass rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns, a move that could vault them into serious Super Bowl contention. The trade, which sends two future draft picks to Cleveland in exchange for Smith and a seventh-rounder, has sent shockwaves through the NFL community.
A Roaring Addition to the Lions’ Den
For the Lions, who are off to their best start since 1956 at 7-1, adding a talent like Za’Darius Smith could be the missing piece to a championship puzzle. The three-time Pro Bowler brings an impressive resume to Detroit, with 65 career sacks and a reputation as one of the league’s most feared pass rushers.
Smith’s presence will be especially crucial following the devastating injury to rookie sensation Aidan Hutchinson, who was lost for the season with a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6. Prior to his injury, Hutchinson was a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, leading the NFL in sacks, pressures, and pass rush win rate.
“We’re not going to be able to replace Hutch, but there’s other things that we can do…You put a bigger burden on your back end, is what you’ve got to do, and we’ve done that, and they’ve risen to the challenge.”
– Lions head coach Dan Campbell
Solidifying the Lions’ Super Bowl Aspirations
With Smith in the fold, the Lions’ defense receives an immediate boost. His ability to win one-on-one matchups and generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks will be invaluable as Detroit prepares for a gauntlet of tough opponents down the stretch, including the Buffalo Bills and a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Moreover, Smith’s presence should help alleviate the pressure on the Lions’ secondary, which has struggled at times to generate a consistent pass rush in Hutchinson’s absence. Over the past two games, the Lions’ defensive line has managed just one sack, with their pressure rate dropping to a meager 27%.
A Changing of the Guard in Cleveland
For the Browns, trading Za’Darius Smith represents a significant shift in philosophy. After entering the season with Super Bowl aspirations of their own, Cleveland has stumbled to a disappointing 2-7 record, leading to speculation about a potential roster overhaul.
By dealing Smith, the Browns lose not only a talented pass rusher but also a respected leader in the locker room. In his time with Cleveland, Smith recorded 10.5 sacks and 27 quarterback hits across 25 games, providing a formidable complement to star defensive end Myles Garrett.
However, with the Browns’ season all but lost, the focus has shifted to the future. The draft capital acquired in the Smith trade – a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder – will provide valuable ammunition as Cleveland looks to rebuild its aging roster.
“The Browns entered Week 1 with 14 players aged 30 years or older, the most in the league.”
– According to a close source
Rebuilding Through the Draft
With limited cap flexibility due to Deshaun Watson‘s massive contract – which carries cap hits of $72 million in each of the next two seasons – the Browns will need to rely heavily on the draft to infuse young, affordable talent into their roster.
The Smith trade brings Cleveland’s total draft capital for 2025 to nine selections, with the team also expected to receive a pair of compensatory picks. By stockpiling picks, the Browns are positioning themselves for a potential roster overhaul in the coming years.
A Win-Win Scenario?
While the long-term ramifications of the Za’Darius Smith trade remain to be seen, the immediate impact is clear: the Lions have solidified their status as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, while the Browns have signaled a shift towards a rebuilding phase.
For Detroit, the addition of Smith could prove to be the catalyst for a deep playoff run, providing a much-needed boost to a pass rush that has struggled in recent weeks. And for Cleveland, the draft capital acquired in the deal could lay the foundation for a brighter future, even if that future feels further away than ever.
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Za’Darius Smith deal serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between win-now and build-for-the-future mentalities. Only time will tell which approach will ultimately pay off, but for now, the Lions and their fans have every reason to be excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
