Before the NFL trade deadline, the Lions acquire Za’Darius Smith, according to sources.Schefter.
The Browns acquired a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick in the trade, according to sources who spoke to Schefter. The Lions, who are in first place and have been looking for defensive end depth since Aidan Hutchinson’s leg injury last month, also received a 2026 seventh-round draft pick.
Smith, 32, is in his second season with the Browns and has five sacks in nine games. Over portions of ten seasons with the Browns, Vikings, Packers, and Ravens, the three-time Pro Bowler has accumulated 65 career sacks.
In their three games after Hutchinson’s injury, the Lions (7-1) recorded a pass rush victory rate of 30.6%, good for 26th place in the NFL during that time.
Following Detroit Lions victory against the Cowboys on October 13, Hutchinson had surgery to repair a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg. The Pro Bowl pass rusher, who had 7.5 sacks in five games prior to his injury, has not been ruled out of returning to the Lions this season.
Despite winning six games in a row, the Lions have only committed one sack in their last two games, including none during Sunday’s pivotal victory against the NFC North rival Packers.
After finishing 11-6 and making the playoffs the previous season, the last-place Browns (2-7) have struggled to live up to expectations this season, and Smith is the second established veteran to be moved away in recent weeks.
Last month, Cleveland also sent a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Bills in exchange for star wide receiver Amari Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick.
