Trades to Make: Cleveland Browns Edge Rusher Za'Darius Smith

The NFL has seen several high-profile trades in recent weeks, but there's still time for teams to shake things up. In Trades to Make, we'll cover some of the best players who could be on the move before the November 5th trade deadline.

Edge Rusher Za'Darius Smith

Za'Darius Smith is a three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher who has proven he can be effective in a variety of systems. With 55.0 sacks over his last 89 appearances across four different teams, Smith is about as reliable as it gets as a pass rusher, and he's still getting it done to this day.

Smith re-signed the Cleveland Browns on a two-year, $23 million deal this past offseason because he expected to play for a contender, but the Browns are 2-6 and facing an uncertain future due to the continued injuries and struggles of quarterback Deshaun Watson. At 32 years old, Smith doesn't have time to wait around. He belongs on a team that can make the most of his remaining effective years.

Who should be interested?

Smith is a veteran pass rusher in the waning years of his career who will be eligible for free agency in 2026. Generally, he would only make sense for a team trying to make the most of a Super Bowl window. His $1.21 million 2024 salary means he should be easy for most teams to fit underneath their salary cap. He should be available for a mid-round pick.

The Detroit Lions lost superstar edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a broken fibula and tibia in October, and they desperately need a replacement along the edge. Their offense also scores a league-best 33.4 points per game, so they can keep their opponents playing catch-up. The Lions should also know Smith well from his time with the Minnesota Vikings, where he notched 10.0 sacks in a Pro Bowl season in 2022.

The Atlanta Falcons are also in playoff contention and have struggled to generate sacks this year: Their six quarterback takedowns in eight games are the fewest in the league. A boost to their pass rush could eventually help them earn their first playoff win since the 2017 postseason.