Za'Darius Smith Traded to Lions at 2024 NFL Deadline; Browns Get 2 Draft Picks

Perhaps the most predictable deal of the NFL trade deadline came to fruition on Tuesday with the Detroit Lions acquiring Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns.

The Lions announced they acquired Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.

There was very little doubt that the Lions would allow the trade deadline to pass without adding a pass-rushers after Aidan Hutchinson had surgery to repair a fractured tibia and fibula after suffering an injury in Detroit's 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13.

Once the Browns indicated they were going to be selling veteran players by trading Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, it didn't take long before people were connecting Smith to Detroit.

No one individual player will be able to replicate the production Hutchinson was giving Detroit's defense. He leads all defensive linemen with a 35 percent pass-rush win rate, per ESPN.com.

Despite having not played in the Lions' last three games, Hutchinson still has 10 more quarterback hits (17 to seven) and five more sacks (7.5 to 2.5) than any other player on their roster.

Smith has been a productive player for the Browns this season. The three-time Pro Bowler has seven quarterback hits, six tackles for loss and five sacks in nine games. He would rank second in all three categories among Lions players.

This isn't exactly an all-in type move because the Lions are only giving up two day three picks, but Smith gives defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn another quality player to use in his scheme.

Smith is also under contract for 2025 with a cap hit of just $5.4 million, so this could be more than just a rental move for this season by the Lions.

Detroit has established itself as the best team in the NFC so far this season. Head coach Dan Campbell's team is 7-1 overall with four of their last five wins coming by at least 10 points.

Everything about the Lions' performance thus far suggests this is a Super Bowl-caliber team. The addition of Smith to fill a key role on defense only strengthens their case as the team to beat in the NFC.