With star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson out for the remainder of the season due to a fractured leg, the Detroit Lions are in urgent need of an upgrade to their pass rush.

Hutchinson led the NFL with 7.5 sacks, 45 pressures, 29 hurries, and eight QB hits at the time of his injury. His absence leaves the Lions’ front-seven significantly weakened.

Six players on the Detroit roster—Alim McNeil, Levi Onwuzurike, D.J. Reader, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, and Marcus Davenport—have combined for the same number of sacks Hutchinson achieved alone. This is why Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports recently suggested that the Lions should trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith to fill Hutchinson’s role.

“The Browns have ample reason to sell, currently sitting at 1-5 but featuring several quality defensive assets, while Detroit needs to bolster its edge-rusher position after losing star Aidan Hutchinson indefinitely to injury,” Benjamin noted.

Smith has faced the NFC North teams previously, having played for both the Packers and Vikings. Although he’s better suited as a rotational rusher at 32, he would provide a much-needed upgrade for a depleted unit in Detroit, where the Lions are aiming for another NFC title run.

In six games this season, Smith has recorded 10 pressures, seven hurries, three sacks, and two tackles for loss. Despite having a diminished role in Cleveland, his addition would give the Lions a credible edge threat.

The 32-year-old was a top pass-rusher over the past two seasons, accumulating a total of 141 pressures, 95 hurries, 30 QB hits, and 15.5 sacks with the Browns and Vikings.

If James Houston can recapture the form that led him to eight sacks and 17 pressures as a rookie in 2022, he could create a strong pass-rushing duo with Smith if the Lions secure him.