Lions Add Veteran Edge Rusher as They Gear up for the Postseason

The Detroit Lions made a great pickup, effectively strengthening their pass rush before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. In the trade, they acquired veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns. In exchange, Detroit sent a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round selection in 2026 to Cleveland, while also receiving a seventh-round pick in 2026.

This deal underscores the Lions' urgency to shore up their defense, especially following the unfortunate injury of star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a broken leg in October. With Hutchinson sidelined, it became clear that the Lions desperately needed reinforcements. Outside of defensive tackle Alim McNeill, the team has struggled to consistently generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

At 32 years old, Smith is still playing some great football. He faced challenges in 2023, managing only 5.5 sacks, but has since rebounded impressively in 2024, racking up five sacks in just nine games with Cleveland. The Lions are counting on his experience and revitalized performance to make a significant impact on their defensive front. As the team aims to maintain its momentum in a competitive season, Smith's presence could prove to be a key factor in their playoff aspirations.