Lions trade for Browns’ Za’Darius Smith, fill need at DE after Aidan Hutchinson injury: Sources

By Colton Pouncy, Zac Jackson and Dianna Russini

The Detroit Lions acquired defensive end Za'Darius Smith on Tuesday, sending a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick, league sources said.

Smith joins a Detroit team in need of an edge rusher. The NFC-leading Lions (7-1) have been hunting for one since losing Aidan Hutchinson to tibia and fibula fractures on Oct. 13 that will sideline him for the rest of the regular season.

Smith, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowler, most recently in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings . He was second on the Browns with five sacks in nine games this season.

The subject of trade rumors as Cleveland (2-7) has fallen out of contention, Smith had one tackle for loss in the team's 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Afterward, he left the locker room without talking to reporters.

Hutchinson led Detroit with 7 1/2 sacks in five games before his injury. No other Lion has more than 2 1/2, and the team has one sack total in its last two games.

The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Smith's fit in Detroit

In many ways, Smith was the target who made the most sense for the Lions. He checks a ton of boxes in terms of what the Lions look for: He can defend the run and set an edge. He entered Sunday 22nd in pressures with 27 and 14th in sacks with five.

In Smith, the Lions are getting a reliable edge rusher who helps account for the loss of Hutchinson. Smith could also return in 2025 as a strong fit opposite Hutchinson.

The Lions and Browns aren't strangers — a deadline deal sent Donovan Peoples-Jones to Detroit a year ago — so there's a familiarity between general managers Brad Holmes and Andrew Berry.

As a Super Bowl contender, the Lions couldn't afford to stand pat at the deadline. Smith is a blueprint defensive end for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. He's consistent and productive — two things the Lions desperately needed. They now have it. — Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer

Why Cleveland made the move

Smith is under contract through next season, but the Browns are being honest about where they stand. Because Smith is 32 and the guarantees on his contract were all-in this season, he was a cheap pickup for a contender and a piece the Browns probably had to move.

Smith is having a good season, and he recorded a sack in each of the team's first five home games before Sunday. Smith has played in multiple defensive schemes and can rush from the inside or outside.

The sensible thing for the Browns was to look toward their uncertain future. The most expensive roster in league history is 2-7. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer

(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)