The Browns’ agreement with the Lions about Za’Darius Smith is finally complete. He was said to be close to the finish line during the team’s Week 9 game. A third NFC North team will receive the experienced pass rusher.
Detroit will ultimately pay less for Smith than first thought, it turns out. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Browns will obtain a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick, while the Lions will receive Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the AFC North team was hoping someone would send over a fourth-round pick for the seasoned edge defender, and Cleveland’s expectations of getting a better return for Smith caused the delay. Week 9 is over, no
These clauses are similar to those in the 2023 transaction that moved Smith to Cleveland from Minnesota. The Vikings traded Smith and 2025 sixth- and seventh-round picks to the Browns in exchange for 2024 and 2025 fifths after the 2023 draft. At least three Day 3 draft picks are included in another transaction involving Smith eighteen months later.
Shortly after the then-Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner went down, Smith was asked about a possible trade to Detroit. Aidan Hutchinson’s broken leg made the Lions an obvious pass-rushing target. After expressing interest in a Lions match, Smith, 32, was reportedly approached by the Lions. The former edge rusher for the Packers and Vikings will relocate from From Myles Garrett’s sidekick on a 2-7 team to the most successful healthy pass rusher for a 7-1 club, the former Packers and Vikings edge rusher will make the transition.
