Za’Darius Smith told a Browns reporter this week that he’d be intrigued by a trade to the Detroit Lions.
The Cleveland Browns are a sinking ship at 1-5 through six games, and they’ve already shown they could be sellers at the trade deadline after sending Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills . Naturally, Detroit Lions fans have looked their way when seeking possible trade options to help with the team’s needs on defense following the long-term injury to Aidan Hutchinson.
Browns pass rusher Za’Darius Smith has been a popular potential target for the Lions, and this week Smith was asked about a potential trade to Detroit. And while the 32-year-old defender said his focus is on playing with the Browns, Smith was surprisingly honest about how good of an opportunity it would be to play with the Lions .
“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,” Smith told The Chronicle-Telegram this week. “So, yeah, that’ll be big.”
He later added, “I’m staying positive, but now that you say that, it might be a good look, a good feel for me.”
Smith played for both the Packers and Vikings, which is why he mentioned those two franchises specifically.
Smith has certainly lost some of his effectiveness at his age. But just two years ago, he produced 10 sacks for the Vikings and was named to the Pro Bowl . Over his nine seasons and change, Smith has tallied 63 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 314 tackles. Through six games with the Browns this year, Smith has 3.0 sacks, 10 pressures, and a 67.8 PFF grade.
He would also fit the kind of edge rusher the Lions typically like: he’s 6-foot-4, 275 pounds and plays the speed-to-power game that allows Detroit to crush the pocket.
The Lions have noted that while their eyes are certainly open and they’re always exploring opportunities—including an apparent call to the Jets about Haason Reddick —they are going to take things slowly and carefully.
“We’re not in a hurry,” coach Dan Campbell said earlier this week. “ I mean, I believe in the guys that are here. I believe in that D-line. Doesn’t mean we’re not looking, we’re not evaluating. (Lions GM) Brad (Holmes) is. that’s his job and he’s good at it and we’ll take it as it comes. But our eyes are open, and we want to make sure that we have what we need here.”
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, November 5.