The Detroit Lions are 7-1 and first in the NFC North and the NFC.
They are the best team in the conference.
However, they lost star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson earlier this season.
This has left a major void. The Detroit Lions needed to make a move to improve their pass rush after losing Hutchinson.
They did just that by acquiring pass rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns.
This year is Super Bowl or bust for the Detroit Lions and they are going for it.
We break down the Za’Darius Smith acquisition, grade the move by the Detroit Lions, and discuss whether this makes the Lions the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl out of the NFC.
Detroit Lions Acquire DE Za’Darius Smith
The Detroit Lions have never had the expectations they have this season. The Lions are expected to come out of the NFC and go to the Super Bowl.
QB Jared Goff is playing at an MVP level, they have arguably the best offensive line in the game, a tremendous playmaking WR in Amon-Ra St. Brown, and one of the best rushing attacks in the league.
The Detroit Lions are stacked on offense. However, their defense needed a boost, especially after losing star pass rusher Aian Hutchinson.
The Detroit Lions acquired Za’Darius Smith for a 2025 fifth-round pick and swapping 2026 draft choices in the deal.
Pass rushers are a hot commodity and rarely get dealt. However, the Detroit Lions managed to boost their defense by acquiring Za’Darius Smith.
Za’Darius Smith
Grade: A
Za’Darius Smith is 32 and can be a good rotational pass rusher for the next few seasons. If this season has taught the Detroit defense anything, it’s the importance of pass-rush depth.
Za’Darius Smith was never the focal point on the Cleveland Browns as Myles Garrett received all the attention. However, for the rest of this season, all the attention will be on Smith to deliver for the Lions.
Smith’s best football days are likely behind him. His pressure rate of 13.2% is the lowest it has been in three years but he’s still enough of a force on the outside to beat average tackles on clear passing downs.
This was a mandatory move by the Detroit Lions and Za’Darius Smith will help improve their pass rush.
Does Acquiring Za’Darius Smith Make The Lions The Favorites To Come Out Of The NFC?
To be honest, whether the Lions acquired Za’Darius Smith or not, they were the favorites to come out of the NFC. This move only improves their odds.
The San Francisco 49ers are not healthy and entering the season, the 49ers were the biggest threat to the Lions.
Detroit should finish first in the NFC, which gives them a massive edge entering the playoffs.
The Za’Darius Smith move will be more beneficial come playoff time than it will be during the regular season.
In the playoffs, the Lions will need their defense to step up against teams like the 49ers, Rams, Eagles, Commanders, Packers, and Falcons.
Having Za’Darius Smith will help their pass rush in the playoffs against some of the better offenses in the NFC.
The Detroit Lions made a significant move at the trade deadline and they are the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl.
