The 2024 NFL trade deadline proved to be eventful, with several notable moves shaking up rosters across the league.

While the football trade deadline often lags behind other sports in terms of excitement, this year saw significant activity, especially in comparison to past seasons. Many teams, including the Detroit Lions, made moves to bolster their chances for the second half of the season.

Among the key transactions, the Lions’ acquisition of Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns stands out.

While this deal may not have garnered the same media attention as high-profile wide receiver trades, it could be one that plays a pivotal role in Detroit’s push toward a potential Super Bowl appearance.

Smith, who was in the first year of a two-year, $23 million deal with Cleveland, was traded to the Lions for a pair of draft picks—a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. The deal was largely financial in nature, as the Browns were looking to move Smith due to the structure of his contract.

Out of the $23 million, $10.79 million came in the form of a signing bonus, and $12 million was fully guaranteed.

This left just $605,000 counting against the salary cap, which made him a particularly attractive trade target for teams like Detroit that had the financial flexibility to make a move.

At the time of the trade, the Lions had the fifth-most cap space in the NFL, with approximately $26.7 million still available.

This allowed them to consider a variety of options for strengthening their defense without straining their cap space.

While several other edge rushers were on the market, Smith stood out for his ability to consistently produce as a pass rusher.

One of the main reasons the Lions were drawn to Smith was his proven track record. Throughout his career, Smith has consistently been able to accumulate sacks.

In fact, with 5 sacks already in 2024, he has now managed 5 or more sacks in every season he has been healthy since 2017.

While he has benefitted from playing opposite Myles Garrett on the Browns’ defensive line the past couple of seasons, Smith has shown that he can thrive in a variety of defensive systems. In addition to his 5 sacks in 2024, he also has 6 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback hits.

These numbers indicate that Smith can still make an impact, even when playing alongside a dominant edge rusher like Garrett.

The Lions, currently sitting at 7-1 with the best offense in the NFL, were looking for a player who could make a difference on defense.

Although they boast the fifth-best defense in terms of points allowed, their pass rush had been inconsistent.

Aidan Hutchinson, the team’s standout edge rusher, had 7.5 sacks, but no other Detroit defensive lineman had more than two sacks at the time of the trade.

This lack of a secondary pass-rushing threat had been a concern for Detroit, especially with Hutchinson facing double teams on a regular basis.

By trading for Smith, the Lions were addressing this need for a complementary pass rusher who could help take some pressure off Hutchinson.

While Smith’s production may not match his numbers in Cleveland, where he had the benefit of playing alongside Garrett, his experience and versatility as a pass rusher will allow the Lions to mix up their defensive looks and matchups.

His presence will give the Lions more flexibility in how they approach opposing offenses and will hopefully improve the pass rush by giving the defense a more dynamic and unpredictable look.

It’s also important to note that Smith’s role in Detroit will likely be different from the one he played in Cleveland.

The Lions’ defensive line is not as top-heavy as the Browns’ unit, with no other lineman currently close to Hutchinson’s sack total. As a result, Smith may see his per-game production decline slightly, but his value to the team will come from his ability to change the dynamics of the defense.

His addition will allow the Lions to be more creative with their pass-rushing schemes, and this could lead to more opportunities for other players to get to the quarterback as well.

The trade for Smith is particularly significant when considering the Lions’ broader goals for the season.

The team is clearly in “win-now” mode, with their 7-1 record signaling that they are serious contenders in the NFC. However, they are still seeking that extra boost to help them take the next step, especially in the postseason.

The addition of a proven pass rusher in Smith could be exactly what they need to turn their defense from a solid unit into a truly elite one.

Given that the Lions only parted with a pair of relatively low draft picks (the 2025 fifth-round and 2026 sixth-round selections), this was a move that offered considerable upside with limited risk.

The Lions were not overpaying for Smith, and even if his production doesn’t reach the levels he posted with the Browns, he will still contribute to the team in a meaningful way.

Detroit also avoided going after higher-priced options that could have had a greater financial impact, allowing them to maintain their flexibility heading into the remainder of the season.

For general manager Brad Holmes, the trade for Smith represents a smart, calculated move to address a key weakness without compromising the long-term future of the franchise.

The Lions had already invested heavily in their offense, which has been explosive all season, but they were missing a key piece on defense to complement Hutchinson.

Smith’s arrival provides just that, offering another experienced rusher who can disrupt the opposing quarterback and force more turnovers.

In terms of playoff implications, this trade could prove to be crucial.

With teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys also fielding strong defenses, the Lions needed to make a move that would allow them to compete at the highest level.

Smith is a proven commodity, and his ability to pressure the quarterback in a variety of ways will make Detroit’s defense more dangerous as the season progresses.

While Hutchinson will likely remain the focal point of the Lions’ pass rush, Smith’s versatility and experience will give defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn more tools to work with, improving the unit as a whole.

Ultimately, the Lions’ trade for Za’Darius Smith may not have been the flashiest move of the deadline, but it was one of the most sensible.

By adding a proven pass rusher to their defense without breaking the bank, the Lions are positioning themselves as serious contenders for the NFC crown.

Whether or not this move ultimately helps them reach the Super Bowl, it was the right kind of acquisition for a team that is aiming for more than just a playoff appearance.