Here we go!
Za’Darius Smith, a former Pro Bowl defensive end, is being shipped from the Cleveland Browns to the Detroit Lions in the first trade of the NFL’s deadline day.
Rumors about the possibility of Smith being traded started surfacing before Sunday’s game between the Lions and Green Bay Packers. Fast forward two days later, and things have been made official, with the Browns receiving a 2025 fifth-round and 2026 sixth-round pick in return. Detroit is also acquiring a 2026 seventh-round pick in the deal. (RELATED: Cardinals Land Baron Browning From Broncos In Exchange For Sixth-Round Pick)
Smith has had quite the success in the 2024 campaign, tallying five sacks in the first nine games. In his 10 years in the NFL, Smith has piled up 65 career sacks.
The ex-Pro Bowler will remain under contract with the Lions until the end of the 2025 season,
Browns trading pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to Lions. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/yrXXTb6yr0
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
TRADE UPDATE: Detroit Lions acquire former Pro Bowl defensive end Za’Darius Smith from the Browns, with Cleveland receiving a fifth-round draft pick for 2025 and a sixth-rounder for 2026. The Lions are also getting a 2026 seventh-round pick in the trade.
— Andrew Powell (@AndrewPow3ll) November 5, 2024
Fantastic move by the Detroit Lions, and they got him for cheap value too. The Browns could have totally landed more for Smith, especially with the season that he’s been having, and doing so with a franchise where most careers go to die or temporarily stall. That could’ve been a top selling point, and teams would’ve went for it.
But instead, the Browns continued their dysfunction, and the Lions got a crazy steal — one that most certainly boosts their Super Bowl chances.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
