The Detroit Lions have been on a mission this season, and with the trade deadline upon us, they made a bold move to bolster their defense. The Lions struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns, acquiring pass rusher Za’Darius Smith along with a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder.
This trade fills a critical gap for Detroit, especially following the season-ending injury of star defender Aidan Hutchinson. On the flip side, the Browns, who are facing a difficult season, picked up a future asset that aligns with their likely rebuild. So, did the trade work out well for both sides? Let’s dive in and grade each team’s decision.
Lions’ Trade Moves Show Commitment To Super Bowl Aspirations
For Detroit, this trade comes at a crucial time. The Lions’ top pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, was on a tear before a leg injury cut his season short. At the time of his injury, Hutchinson led the league in sacks, and his loss left Detroit’s pass rush in a precarious spot. Through nine weeks, no other Lions defender has accumulated more than 2.5 sacks, and their defensive pressure has visibly dropped. Za’Darius Smith, who has five sacks this season and 65 over his career, adds much-needed firepower to Detroit’s defense.
NFL #tradedeadline: #Lions acquire Za’Darius Smith from #Browns to replace #injured Aidan Hutchinson
The trade deadline falls on Election Day this year, Tuesday, Nov. 5.https://t.co/WjU5DqLni4
NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports – Sunday, November…— 🇺🇸🇺🇸Rick Ferguson🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@dthwraith) November 5, 2024
At 32 years old, Smith might not be a long-term solution, but his skill and experience—particularly his eight career playoff games—are valuable assets. Detroit has serious playoff ambitions, and they needed a boost on defense to strengthen their Super Bowl pursuit. By adding Smith at a relatively low cost (giving up only a fifth-round pick), they’re committing to making this season count without compromising too much of their future draft capital. Smith’s arrival won’t fully replace Hutchinson, but it cushions the blow, especially as they face a competitive field down the stretch.
The Lions’ front office deserves credit for identifying this need and acting on it promptly. They’re filling a major gap and bringing in a player who knows how to perform in high-stakes situations. This trade isn’t about long-term planning; it’s about ensuring they have the tools to be contenders this year, and they’ve done so without breaking the bank.
Browns Focus On The Future, Preparing For Potential Rebuild
Moving Za’Darius Smith makes sense for the Cleveland Browns, who face a 2-7 record and the prospect of a rebuild. While Smith is a talented pass rusher, he’s in his tenth season, and at 32, he doesn’t align well with Cleveland’s future outlook. They’re looking to reset and build something new, and holding onto a veteran with a sizable contract through 2025 doesn’t fit that vision.
While some fans might have hoped for more in return, a Day 3 pick is a fair exchange, given Smith’s age and contract status. Cleveland’s management likely felt that getting something rather than keeping a player who doesn’t fit their future roster plans was the best option. The fifth-round pick they received won’t bring an immediate superstar, but it does add to their future assets—one that can be developed or potentially used in future trades as they work to reshape the team.
This trade also eases Cleveland’s cap situation, allowing them to allocate resources strategically as they look to the 2024 offseason. While losing Smith’s production on the field isn’t easy, the team is making a conscious choice to clear the way for younger players to step up. And in a season where playoffs are off the table, that’s a logical move. Browns fans can take some comfort in knowing that this decision was made with the future in mind, and there are likely more moves on the horizon as Cleveland restructures its roster for a fresh start.
