There’s been lots of speculation that the Detroit Lions (7-1 straight up, 7-1 against the spread) were in the market for a pass rusher after losing star DE Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending leg injury last month.
With one of the NFL’s premier general managers in Brad Holmes, it was only a matter of time until he worked his magic before today’s trade deadline at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The speculation became reality this morning when Holmes struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns to acquire veteran DE Za’Darius Smith.
As it turns out, the Lions didn’t have to give up much for the three-time Pro-Bowler. The Browns are sending Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to Detroit for a 2025 fifth-round selection and a 2026 sixth-round choice.
The 32-year-old Smith has played in nine games for Cleveland this season, recording 23 tackles, seven QB hits, six tackles for loss and five sacks. In 16 regular-season games last year, he produced 27 tackles, 20 QB hits, eight TFL’s, 5.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one forced fumble.
During Smith’s 10-year pro career, he’s started 89 of 132 regular-season games he’s played in. The University of Kentucky product has 321 career tackles, 163 QB hits, 82 TFL’s, 65 sacks, 15 PBU, 10 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
As of Tuesday morning, most books had the Lions installed as three-point road favorites for Sunday night’s game at Houston. The total was in the 49-50 range, while the Texans were +145 on the money line.
I’ve had Detroit #1 in my NFL Power Rankings since mid-October, and I’ll be all over Dan Campbell’s team -3 at Houston. I’ve already recommended a three-unit play on the Commanders -2.5 this Sunday, and I like the Lions for two units.
FanDuel has Detroit with the second-shortest odds (+480) to win Super Bowl LIX. Kansas City is the +400 ‘chalk.’