Per ProFootballTalk, the Detroit Lions are expected to complete a trade for Browns DE Za’Darius Smith.
According to ProFootballTalk, the Detroit Lions are expected to complete a trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Here’s how NFL reporter Mike Florio worded his report, verbatim:
Yes, the Lions and Browns have discussed a potential trade for defensive end Za’Darius Smith. At this point, the expectation is that it’ll be more than talk.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the current expectation is that Smith will be traded to Detroit tonight or tomorrow.
Smith has been at the forefront of rumors regarding the Lions’ pursuit of defensive line help after Aidan Hutchinson’s regular season-ending injury. Smith was even asked about a potential trade to Detroit, and the 32-year-old defender said there’s a lot to like about landing 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 said a few weeks ago. “So, yeah, that’ll be big.”
Smith is in his 10th NFL season. Thus far through eight games, Smith has 5.0 sacks, 22 tackles, and a 71.7 PFF grade.
Right now, we’re labeling this as a rumor since Florio is the only source on this story, and the trade has obviously not yet been completed—even by his admittance. But given that as of 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns are trailing by three scores on their way to a possible 2-7 start to the season, it’s reasonable to believe they’ll be sellers before the Tuesday deadline.
