Detroit Lions trade for Browns pass rusher Za'Darius Smith for draft pick compensation

The Cleveland Browns are trading EDGE rusher Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions for a 5th round pick in 2025 and 6th round pick in 2026, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

"Sources: The Browns are trading standout edge Za'Darius Smith to the Lions, who add a key presence on the edge to help make up for the loss of Aidan Hutchinson," Rapoport wrote on Twitter. "It's Smith and a 2026 7th going to Detroit for a 2025 5th and a 2026 6th. A major move."

In nine games this season, Smith has 23 total tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks. He was in the middle of his second season with the Browns.

Smith started his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 and played with the team for four seasons. He followed that up with the Green Bay Packers (2019-21) and Minnesota Vikings (2022).

Over the course of his career, Smith has 321 total tackles, 82 tackles for loss, 65 sacks, 15 pass deflections, 10 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Za'Darius Smith to Lions after Aidan Hutchinson injury

The Lions were rumored to be in the running for a pass rusher following Hutchinson's likely season-ending injury earlier this year. Smith is quite the player to come in and help Detroit's Super Bowl chances.

Hutchinson hit the turf at AT&T Stadium in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys when going to sack Dak Prescott . He suffered a broken tibia on the play, and underwent immediate surgery at a Dallas area hospital before undergoing further evaluation.

Hutchinson was in the midst of another impressive season as the anchor of the Lions' defense. The former No. 2 overall pick out of had 19 tackles, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble through five games this season before the gruesome injury against Dallas. Dan Campbell set a timeline for his return at four to six months , though, which could line up with the Super Bowl on the early end.

Hence why Smith was added to the roster via trade.

"It's 4-6 months," Campbell said this week, via Colton Pouncy of The Athletic . "I'd never count Hutch out."

Hutchinson wasted little time introducing himself to the NFL, having a monster rookie campaign that earned him PFWA All-Rookie honors. He logged 52 tackles, 9.5 sacks, a pair of fumble recoveries, three interceptions and three passes defended in 2022.

He followed that up with an even more productive sophomore season, tallying 51 tackles, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and seven passes defended.