Trade: [DET/CLE] Lions trade for Za’Darius Smith

[GKJ]

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[John Price]

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Good pickup for Lions

 

[Voight]

Za'Darius will now have played for 3 out of the 4 NFC North teams.

 

[hatterson]

Would have been really happy for the Bills to have got him. Basically zero cap hit this year and can be cut in the offseason to avoid meaningful (or maybe any) cap hit next year.

 

[Troy McClure]

He's a nice depth addition. Feels like he's always dealing with some kind of injury, but I bet he'll shine playing on a reduced snap count in Detroit.

 

[BSHH]

He's a nice depth addition. Feels like he's always dealing with some kind of injury, but I bet he'll shine playing on a reduced snap count in Detroit.

The Lions simply cannot reduce his snap count, at least not during the next weeks. Smith instantly becomes their best DE; among those injured, only Cominsky might return this year.

When Hutchinson went down, many Lions fans dreamt of big trades for top DEs like Crosby, Garrett or Hendrickson. Smith is not on their level, but he is a solid starter. By not giving up a Day 2 pick with his back against the wall Holmes once again showed his skills as a GM. I also like that Smith could be retained at a decent cap hit.

Perhaps the Lions try to snag another DE within the residual 81 minutes. Anyway, they will pray that by some miracle Hutchinson returns when it matters most.

Gruß,
BSHH