Lions Could Use $23 Million Pass Rusher Trade Proposal to Fill Aidan Hutchinson’s Absence.
The Detroit Lions head into Week 9 with the NFC’s top record at 6-1. They are set to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in a game that could help Detroit create some separation from their NFC North rivals in the early chase for the divisional title.
Boasting one of the league’s strongest rosters, the Lions are currently missing a key player after star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson sustained an injury to his tibia and fibula in Week 6. The third-year defensive end tallied 7.5 sacks before undergoing surgery, which is expected to sideline him until at least the Super Bowl—if the Lions reach it.
Doug Farrar of AS has proposed a trade that could assist the Lions in making a deep postseason push, allowing Hutchinson to return in February. Farrar suggested that the Lions could acquire Za’Darius Smith from the struggling 2-6 Cleveland Browns.
“Under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Detroit has increased its blitz rate significantly (a league-high 46.1% of opponent dropbacks in Weeks 7-8), but relying on that approach can negatively impact coverage,” Farrar noted. “Smith would be an excellent addition because his talent enables a successful rush with four or five defenders, reducing the strain on cornerbacks and safeties.”
The Browns signed Smith to a two-year contract worth $23 million in March. At 32, his salary makes him an appealing trade candidate, and the Lions have $27.4 million in cap space this season available to strengthen their roster, according to Over the Cap.
To acquire Smith, the Lions would likely need to give up a Day 3 draft pick, but that shouldn’t deter a team aiming for a Super Bowl victory right now.
For the Browns, gaining an extra draft pick could be beneficial as they look to move away from the Deshaun Watson era and begin rebuilding around a rookie quarterback from the 2025 class.
Smith has recorded 22 total tackles and five sacks in the Browns’ first eight games. Earlier this season, the All-Pro mentioned he wouldn’t mind being traded to the NFC North, making this a favorable situation for both the Lions and Smith.
