2 weeks Ago By Mike Moraitis
The Detroit Lions have been ravaged by injuries along the edge this season, with the team losing both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport for the remainder of the campaign. The Lions have been able to get by without both so far, but if Detroit hopes to realize its Super Bowl potential in 2024, the team has to make an addition to improve the pass-rush. One potential option for the Lions is Cleveland Browns edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, who CBS Sports' Josh Edwards predicts will end up in Motown ahead of the trade deadline.
"Smith is under contract for the 2025 season so Detroit would have a competent pass rusher not only for this season, but next, when Aidan Hutchinson returns," Edwards wrote. "Cleveland has paid down Smith's base salary so the Lions will have to pay up for this trade to work." Smith isn't a big, flashy addition like Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby would be, for example, but he's no doubt the next best thing.
And, the Browns should be willing to move the 32-year-old with the disaster that franchise is right now. The three-time Pro Bowler has tallied double-digit sacks three times in his career, and while he had a down season in 2023, he's just 1.5 sacks shy of surpassing what he did last year with four sacks through seven games.
Smith offers a wealth of experience and can be a multi-year option, as he's under contract in 2025, so the Lions can pair him with Hutchinson next year. In terms of compensation, Smith figures to garner a third-round pick, at most, which could be a problem for the Lions if the Browns aren't willing to take a 2026 third-rounder. Detroit doesn't have its 2025 third-rounder thanks to the trade up for Giovanni Manu.
Whatever the case may be, if the price is right and the Lions can make it work, they absolutely should bring Smith in..
