What the Detroit Lions are getting in Za’darius Smith

The Detroit Lions’ pass rush had sputtered since the loss of Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending leg injury in Week 6.

Since Hutchinson went down, the Lions’ defensive line has not recorded a sack. In fact, the defense as a whole has registered just two sacks in the three games without the Defensive Player of the Year.

As a result, the Lions are hoping newly acquired defensive end Za’darius Smith will provide a boost of energy and production for a talented, yet underperforming defensive line group.

Smith has turned in five sacks in nine games with the Cleveland Browns, who fell to 2-7 on the year with a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The 32-year streak through nine games ranks among the best on the Lions’ roster, though Detroit has played one fewer game than Cleveland due to the Week 5 bye. Smith’s five sacks rank first among active Lions, while his 27 pressures are tied for first with Alim McNeill.

He will step in as a starter as soon as he is ready to play in the Lions’ system. He appears to line up opposite Josh Paschal when he returns from illness, or James Houston and Al-Quadin Muhammad if Paschal is not recovered by Week 10.

Smith’s ability to rush off the edge pairs nicely with Paschal’s ability to set the edge in the run game. Below is an example of the tenacity with which Smith rushes as he overpowers the Dallas Cowboys’ right tackle for a sack in Week 1.

In terms of alignment, Smith has lined up outside of the opposite tackle on a majority of his snaps this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he has played 282 of his 319 snaps in this alignment, with 28 snaps lined up over the tackle and nine snaps lined up in the B slot.

As for PFF’s ratings, Smith has a 73.6 overall defensive grade, a 65.9 run defense grade, a 39.3 pass rush grade and a 71.1 pass rush grade. Smith’s overall defensive grade would rank sixth on the Lions, as the Lions currently have three defenders with a 90.0 grade or higher in Hutchinson and safeties Kerby Joseph (90.7) and Brian Branch (90.0).

Smith also fits from a management perspective. With Detroit’s emphasis on culture, it was clear the Lions would have to see him as a cultural fit to make this deal.

With rumors swirling about a potential trade on Sunday, several of Smith’s Cleveland teammates are weighing in on what the veteran has meant to the team.

“I mean, Z is my brother, man,” Browns safety Juan Thornhill told reporters after the game. “He means a lot. Everyone will feel it if he leaves here. It’s going to hurt. He means a lot. He’s coming back there. He brings a lot of energy. He’s one of the leaders of our defense, but I want Nothing but the best for him.

Detroit’s new addition will get opportunities to play against two of his former teams, having previously suited up for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. The Lions play the Packers on Thursday Night Football on Dec. 5 in Week 14 along with a season finale showdown against the Vikings on a date to be determined.

The ability to play against former teams was a factor in Smith initially saying he would welcome a trade to the Lions, as he played three seasons with the Packers and one with the Vikings. He was traded from the Vikings to the Browns prior to the 2023 season in exchange for a pair of fifth-round picks.

Smith is clearly an upgrade for the Lions’ pass rush and has an opportunity to be a difference-maker in what the team hopes to be a championship season.