The Detroit Lions lastly added to their defensive finish room by buying and selling for Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns. Smith was clearly Detroit’s prime and most lifelike goal primarily based on the rumors from the final week.
However now that the transfer is definitely getting carried out, let’s dive into the participant. We despatched 5 inquiries to our buddy Jared Mueller of Browns SB Nation weblog Dawgs By Nature to see how Smith has been enjoying in Cleveland for the previous 1.5 seasons.
Right here’s what Mueller has to say:
1. How a lot juice is left in Za’Darius Smith? Is he somebody who can nonetheless constantly win one-on-ones?
Mueller: “Smith seems to be his age on the sphere at occasions however overcomes that with expertise. The massive unknown is whether or not or not Smith’s manufacturing has been primarily attributable to being subsequent to Myles Garrett and Danielle Hunter the final couple of years? With the Browns, Smith has not often been chipped or double-teamed as a result of most of that focus has gone to Garrett. Smith has additionally been in a position to transfer round on the road to hunt higher matchups due to the presence of Garrett and a stout defensive position general. When one-on-one with the second-best offensive lineman, Smith will get you strain.”
2. Run protection is important to the Lions, how has Smith held up there at this level in his profession?
Mueller: “A powerful ox of a participant, Smith held down the strongside defensive finish spot in Cleveland. He can set the sting and tackle double groups correctly. At 6-foot-4 and 270 kilos, Smith has sufficient bulk to be an essential piece of the Lions run protection.”
3. Folks will naturally assume Smith is the beneficiary of getting Myles Garrett on the opposite aspect. How a lot of Smith’s manufacturing is due to that, how a lot is his personal?
Mueller: “As famous above, this query is a tough one to reply. What we do know is that Jadeveon Clowney was not hyper-productive throughout from Garrett whereas Smith has been in a position to make an impression. Lions followers anticipating a Hutch substitute might be disenchanted, Smith is nowhere close to that degree. A stable edge participant who doesn’t make errors and can get strain on the QB, even when it doesn’t result in sacks, is what Smith will present the remainder of the season.”
4. What’s Smith’s character like? Onerous employee? Good locker room man? Appear to be a “Dan Campbell” man?
Mueller: “Previous to his arrival in Cleveland, there have been reviews of issues about Smith within the locker room. With the Browns, everybody loves “Z.” His vitality and work ethic had been unquestioned whereas in Cleveland. Smith will not be the quiet kind in any respect and gamers are drawn to him. Campbell will search so as to add one other voice within the locker room by getting on the identical web page with Smith.”
5. What are your ideas on the commerce phrases?
Mueller: “Given every part, particularly Smith’s age and contract, the picks in return are about what ought to have been anticipated. Followers will all the time worth their gamers greater however Smith was not returning subsequent yr and the Browns are going nowhere this season. Throwing out the swap of picks in 2026, a fifth-round choose this yr for eight video games (no less than in Cleveland) is a win.”
