OCTOBER 20: Adding more substance to the Lions-Smith speculation, ESPN’s Adam Schefter hears from league sources that Detroit could indeed be interested in acquiring the accomplished pass rusher prior to the deadline. Cleveland would prefer to retain Smith and his thru-2025 contract, but the club is expected to listen to offers.
OCTOBER 18: The Browns have traded away Amari Cooper, a sign the 1-5 team could continue to sell leading up to the trade deadline. If that proves true, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith could soon be on the move. 
The veteran served as a full-time starter last year, his debut campaign in Cleveland. Smith posted only 5.5 sacks – his fewest during a healthy season since 2017 – but he managed to land an extended look with the Browns in the offseason. Team and player agreed to a two-year, $23MM deal in March which prevented him from testing the open market. Things have not gone according to plan in 2024, however.
The Browns’ offense has struggled mightily with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, but the team has also failed to live up to expectations on defense so far. In terms of pass rush production, Cleveland sits 14th in the NFL with 15 sacks; Smith has accounted for three of those while adding four pressures and two tackles for loss. The three-time Pro Bowler’s base salary for this year is just $1.2MM (a prorated portion of which would be taken on by an acquiring team) and none of his base compensation for next year is guaranteed.
“You know what, that’s not my decision. That’s all upstairs,” Smith said when asked about the possibility of a trade (via Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram). “I would rather you ask them to see what that would be… I’m staying positive, but now that you say that, [getting traded] might be a good look, a good feel for me.”
Smith’s 10-year career has seen him suit up for four different teams, including stints with the Packers and Vikings. A deal sending him to the Lions would allow for a return to the NFC North, and it would help fill the void created by Aidan Hutchinson‘s broken leg. No firm links have emerged between Smith and Detroit, but he would apparently welcome the opportunity to finish the season in the Motor City.
“Hate that injury happened to him, a guy that was on his way to get Defensive Player of the Year possibly,” the former fourth-rounder said of Hutchinson. “That’s a big loss for them. But if I was to go to Detroit, I would like it, because I get to play Green Bay twice a year and the Vikings twice a year. So, yeah, that’ll be big.”
The Lions could certainly use help along the edge with both Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport out of the picture. The team has, to no surprise, showed at least some interest in Haason Reddick as his new representation seeks to bring an end to his Jets holdout. Adding Reddick will require some kind of contractual commitment unless he changes his stance and elects to play out the remainder of his existing deal (either in New York or as a member of a new team) and in doing so puts himself on track for free agency.
Other edge rushers could be on the trade market, though, including Smith. Given his remarks, he would certainly welcome a move sending him to the Lions. It will be worth watching closely to see if that sentiment is reciprocated, or if other teams show interest in adding him before the November 5 deadline.
If the return is not too costly he might be a nice fill in for the Lions, given the financials are pretty favorable. If it doesn’t work out, no guaranteed money makes it pretty easy to move on
I heard a 5th or 6th round pick could get him. He’s the cheapest of the possible options which several teams will look to get for that. I think Brad Holmes is probably going to wait until closer to the deadline incase the Raiders do decide to trade Maxx Crosby. To get him it will certainly cost two first round picks and maybe a second plus a guy like Hendon Hooker. If it weren’t for his ACL injury at Tennessee he was a possible top 10 pick so that solves their QB problem.
Hooker was never going to go that high. He was an older prospect coming out of an offense that so doesn’t translate to the NFL that even his top two receivers, Hyatt and Tillman, can barely get on the field after being third rounders.
Those WR’s not getting playing time has literally nothing to do with what offense they played in college. They’re both 2nd year WR’s on teams with good WR depth and bad QB play. In fact, with Cooper getting traded, Tillman is a starter now.
The Giants with good receiver depth these last two years? Good one.
Hyatt had Robinson, Slayton and Waller ahead of him last year. Not to mention Barkley’s contributions in the passing game. He has Nabers, Robinson and Slayton ahead of him this year. It’s not that complicated, and certainly has nothing to do with what offense he played in college, which was the actual point.
Waller is a tight end, so that doesn’t apply, and the Giants have been flirting with cutting Slayton loose forever. Hyatt’s college offense had him mostly running free release vertical routes out of the slot, which is a niche NFL role at best. He never needed any route running sophistication. That absolutely affects ability to adjust to the pros.
They split Waller out constantly. Besides, Hyatt was a rookie and still got playing time. Anyway, right on cue Tillman breaks out for 8-81 and a 2 pt conversion. Meanwhile, with Nabers out, Hyatt played 81% of offensive snaps. Simply put, your argument of them “barely getting on the field” because of the offense they played in college holds no water. Better luck next time.
A healthy third round pick playing 166 snaps through seven games in his second season got a team with a shallow receiver group is not a lot. Meanwhile Tillman got 12 of his 17 total targets this season this week and was fortunate to play one of the worst defenses in football.
And my initial point was about Hooker, who absolutely did not run anything close to an NFL offense in college. He never had to go through progressions.
My initial point wasn’t about the Giants WR depth either.
2 1st for Maxx Crosby who already got paid? This is one of the best if not best front offices in football today, they are finally taking a page from a winning organization like Ravens.
We draft our foundation and develop it. Sewell, St Brown, McNeil are all from one draft class. We will do the best thing for the franchise, for now and future. 2 1sts is a hang up for almost anyone available. Unless Myles Garrett is on the block.
This would be a great get for the Lions…the money is not an issue and anything the Lions sent to the Browns would not be much…a 7th round pick maybe a 6th and besides the Browns are such a mess they would probably love to have him gone after his comments and he wouldn’t be the lingering headache that Reddick would be. The Lions are legit this year and Smith would probably give a much better effort playing for the Lions and a post season run instead of a team that is going nowhere.
Anybody want Dumbshawn Watson? They’ll trade him for a pair of cleats and some sunflower seeds. Going, going, oh crap he’s staying.
Detroit has to do something to help make up for the loss of Hutch.