Open Nav
Show Navigation
Show Menu
FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Lions Get Za'Darius Smith

By Matt Schauf | Updated on Tue, Nov 5 2024 1:59 PM UTC
Za'Darius Smith Headshot

The Browns are trading Edge Za'Darius Smith to the Lions for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a late-round pick swap in 2026. Smith has 5 sacks and 7 QB hits through nine games. He joins a Detroit defense that has tallied 5 sacks over three games since Edge Aidan Hutchinson went down -- including just 1 total sack over the past two weeks.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

This move has been rumored for weeks and clearly upgrades Detroit's pass rush.

At 32, Smith is working on a Pro Football Focus rushing grade that's well down vs. his past two seasons. But his 27 total pressures tie for 23rd among 192 edge players this season.

Smith has elite pass-rushing performances behind him and joins a defense that has played well despite the Hutchinson injury. Combine that with the league's top scoring offense pressuring opponents, and Smith gets a nice upgrade in situation.

The move also means he won't get a bye week this year. Cleveland hits its bye this week. Detroit's came back in Week 5.

The Browns figure to turn to Edge Ogbo Okoronkwo as the primary fill-in for Smith, opposite Myles Garrett.

Okoronkwo has just 7 total pressures through nine games and is working on thhe lowest PFF grades of his career across categories. He gets an upside matchup with the Saints in Week 11 to show us whether he'll present usable IDP value the rest of the way.

Matt Schauf Author Image
Matt Schauf, Editor
Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.
Premium Content Premium ContentTennessee Titans Fantasy Forecast: Can Cam Ward Spark This Offense?

Tennessee Titans Fantasy Forecast: Can Cam Ward Spark This Offense?

1:33pm UTC 5/29/25

Cam Ward should be an immediate upgrade for the Titans — and could make this an undervalued offense in 2025 fantasy drafts.

Read More »
Video: 32 Facts That Shape Your Fantasy Football Rankings

Video: 32 Facts That Shape Your Fantasy Football Rankings

3:47pm UTC 5/28/25

What do you need to know about the Cardinals' offense? Are the Packers in the midst of a dramatic shift? And what's worrisome about Baker Mayfield? Find out all that and much more on this episode of our fantasy football podcast.

Read More »
2025 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Top RBs, Breakout WRs & Hidden Gems

2025 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Top RBs, Breakout WRs & Hidden Gems

2:39pm UTC 5/28/25

The 2025 rookie class is loaded with RB talent, sprinkled with high-upside WRs and TEs. Whether you're gunning for Ashton Jeanty or hunting for sleepers, we've got you covered with full rankings.

Read More »
Compare Plans » Compare Plans »