Lions acquire Za’Darius Smith from Browns for draft picks

Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) in action against the Houston Texans during an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 in Houston. (Maria Lysaker/AP)

The Detroit Lions are bolstering their pass rush by acquiring one of the top targets available at the trade deadline.

Detroit completed a trade with the Cleveland Browns to get Za’Darius Smith and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026.

Smith has tallied five sacks in nine games this season. He will help replace the production lost by the season-ending injury to pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a broken left tibia.

The 32-year-old Smith has registered 65 career sacks in 10 seasons and is a three-time Pro Bowler.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that, as part of the deal, the Lions are picking up the remaining $605,000 on Smith’s contract. Schefter added that the Browns have paid $11.3 million of Smith’s 2024 salary.

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