On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Detroit Lions' pass rush had been sputtering 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 recorded just two sacks in the three games without the Defensive Player of the Year contender.
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 recored 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-old's statline through nine games will rank 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 ranks first among active Lions, while his 27 pressures is tied-for-first with Alim McNeill.
He slots in as a starter as soon as he's ready to play in the Lions' system. He seems likely to line up opposite of Josh Paschal upon his return from illness, or James Houston and Al-Quadin Muhammad if Paschal is not recovered in 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 that Smith rushes with, 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 opposing 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 gap.
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 leadership perspective. With Detroit's emphasis on culture, it was clear that the Lions would have to view him as a cultural fit in order to make this deal.
With rumors swirling of a potential trade on Sunday, several of Smith's Cleveland teammates weighed in on what the veteran has meant to the team.
"I mean, Z's my brother, man," Browns safety Juan Thornhill told reporters after the game. "He means a lot. Everybody's going to feel it if he's leaving here. It's going to hurt. He means a lot. He gets back there. He brings a lot of energy. He's one of the leaders of our defense, but I wish nothing but the best for him. It is going to be tough. It's going to be tough losing a guy like that."
Detroit's new addition will get opportunities to play against two of his former teams, as he has formerly 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 to-be-decided date.
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 for the Packers and one for the Vikings. He was traded from the Vikings to the Browns ahead of the 2023 season in exchange for a pair of fifth-round picks.
Smith is clearly an upgrade to the Lions' pass rush and has an opportunity to be a difference-maker in what the team hopes to be a championship season.
More must-reads:
- Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
- Dynamic safety extension a massive win for Vikings
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension
There is not a bigger sporting event in North America than the Super Bowl, and tickets are only getting more expensive every year. There is also a ridiculous secondary market for tickets where seats sell for well above the original face value. It is usually fans or ticket resellers going for a quick profit. But as was reported on Friday, sometimes it can be players in the NFL looking to make a profit. According to multiple reports, including the Associated Press and ESPN, more than 100 players are facing fines and potential suspensions for selling their allotment of tickets to this year's Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs for above face value. Players are reportedly facing fines of one-and-a-half times the face value they originally paid for the tickets, while they are also prevented from purchasing tickets to the Super Bowl for the next seasons. The Associated Press obtained a memo from the NFL detailing the violation and investigation. That memo was as follows: “Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the Policy. This long-standing League Policy, which is specifically incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits League or Club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less. We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.” If players are not willing to pay the fine, they could be facing suspension from the league. It seems unlikely that any of the players — none of whom have been named, or their teams — would refuse to pay such a fine. It's also one of those moments where you can say, professional athletes — they're still normal people trying to make a quick buck. The most logical answer here is perhaps some of the players caught up in this are younger players who have not yet struck it rich on a big contract or perhaps even practice squad players who are not making top dollar.
Aaron Boone Makes Feelings Clear After Yankees’ Big Trade
The New York Yankees didn't come into the season with the strongest third base situation, and it only got worse over time. They converted traditional second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the hot corner after getting him at the Trade Deadline last season and installed a timeshare with him, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera there in 2025. However, the latter player broke his ankle on May 12, and the Yankees released the now 37-year-old LeMahieu on July 10. Chisholm was primarily back at second at that point, so this left Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as their only true remaining third basemen. With Peraza hitting .147 and Vivas hitting .164, it was clear what the team's biggest need was. That's why it acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. New York manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about the 30-year-old before Friday's bout with the Philadelphia Phillies, via SNY. "I know there's real offensive potential there. I know he's had real offensive success, as well as some struggles there over the last calendar year or two," he said. "It seems like over the last month he's really started swinging the bat like he's capable of. He can impact the ball, he can control the strike zone, he's had some swing-and-misses that have probably hurt him a little bit." "But then he can really defend over there," he continued. "The handful of times that we've played against them that I watch him, you're like, 'That's what it should look like over there.' He moves really well and has that prototypical good third base thing." McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with 16 homers and 35 RBI over 100 games this season. He also has a .978 fielding percentage and six errors. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (6-5, 4.91 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75 ERA) on Friday.
Dodgers Announce Max Muncy Update After 16 Straight Missed Games
Third baseman Max Muncy is in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after debuting with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. Muncy failed to establish himself as a reliable major-league hitter in Oakland, but his career took off in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger has made two All-Star teams with the Dodgers and appeared in 905 games, hitting 203 home runs and driving in 575 runs. He’s also been a postseason hero, batting .217 with 44 hits, 13 homers, 34 RBIs and 38 runs scored across 62 career playoff games, and he’s won two World Series titles (2020, 2024). On July 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Muncy sustained a left knee bone bruise after a collision at third base while making a tag. An MRI showed no structural damage, and although his initial recovery timeline was set at six weeks, the Dodgers announced he could begin a rehab assignment next week and return ahead of schedule. His rehab progress has expedited his return timetable, and the team is eagerly anticipating his comeback. During his absence, the Dodgers have dropped five of 16 games, and their division lead dropped to five games over the San Diego Padres. His veteran presence has been missed in the clubhouse as much as his bat has been at the plate. In 2025, Muncy is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 51 walks while hitting in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup.
Trade rejection speaks volumes about Red Sox's Jarren Duran intentions
The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
