Detroit Lions Trade for Za’Darius Smith: Key Details on the Defensive End Acquisition.
The wait is finally over. The Detroit Lions have made a move to strengthen their defensive line. On Monday morning, the Lions traded for edge rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns, as confirmed by the Free Press.
To acquire the 32-year-old Smith, Detroit’s general manager Brad Holmes and the front office will send a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Cleveland. In return, the Lions also receive a 2026 seventh-round pick to complete the deal.
Who is Za’Darius Smith?
Smith is a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end with a wealth of experience in the NFC North, having previously played for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
The Browns are clearly in rebuilding mode after a 2-7 start to the season, leaving them near the bottom of the league standings. Meanwhile, the Lions, who are in the midst of a Super Bowl push, needed reinforcements in their pass rush following the injury to star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who broke his leg in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Currently, Detroit is leading the NFC with a 7-1 record after a road win over the Packers. Despite a lackluster pass rush, the Lions’ defense managed to limit Green Bay to just one offensive touchdown, which occurred when the game was already out of reach, and forced a pick-six after linebacker Alex Anzalone applied pressure.
Before his injury, Hutchinson led the NFL with 7.5 sacks and 45 quarterback pressures. With other key edge rushers, Marcus Davenport (pectoral), Derrick Barnes (knee), and John Cominsky (knee), all sidelined, Detroit’s defensive line has been decimated by injuries. This has forced the Lions to explore every possible option in their quest for a steady pass rush, leading to the trade for Smith just before the trade deadline.
What to Know About Za’Darius Smith
Smith spent four seasons in the NFC North with the Packers and Vikings, earning Pro Bowl honors three times. He has accumulated 65 career sacks over 10 seasons, with five of those coming in 2024. Smith played six of the first eight games this year, including two sacks against Detroit while he was with the Vikings. Originally drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, Smith developed from a rotational player to a key contributor with 8.5 sacks and 25 quarterback hits in his fourth season.
Detroit’s Defensive Struggles and Smith’s Role
Heading into the week, the Lions ranked 16th in the NFL with a sack percentage of 7.49%, having recorded just five sacks from their healthy defensive linemen: Alim McNeill (2.5 sacks), Onwuzurike (1.5 sacks), and D.J. Reader (one sack). Detroit failed to sack Packers quarterback Jordan Love during their 24-14 win on Sunday.
Lions’ Trade History and Draft Capital
This isn’t the first time Brad Holmes and the Lions have made a trade for a player midseason, having previously acquired receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones from the Browns at last year’s trade deadline for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
The Lions are working with seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including an extra seventh-rounder from the Dallas Cowboys. While Detroit does not have a third-round pick, they may still be active in the trade market before the Tuesday deadline if they seek additional reinforcements.