No. 3: Za'Darius Smith
After Hutchinson's injury Smith was asked about his name being in trade speculation, and eventually specifically the idea of being dealt to the Lions in light of that specific talk.
He gave a surprisingly candid answer.
"Hate that injury happened to him, a guy that was on his way to get Defensive Player of the Year possibly,” Smith said, regarding Hutchinson. “That’s a big loss for them. But if I was to go to Detroit, I would like it, because I get to play Green Bay twice a year and the Vikings twice a year. So, yeah, that’ll be big.”
The Lions have played the Vikings and the Packers each one time this season, but Smith's overall point still stands. He was broadly open to the idea of being dealt to a Super Bowl contender if the Browns were inclined to move him, and if it was the Lions there would be the extra motivational layer of getting to play against the two NFC North teams he has already played for.
Smith has double-digit sack seasons (three), Pro Bowl selections (three) and playoff games (eight) on his resume. But he has been past the Divisional Round of the playoffs once, and coming to the Lions gives him a legit chance at a Super Bowl ring this year.
It's very common in NFL trade deadline deals for a player to go from a losing team to a really good team, and Smith obviously did just that on Tuesday. It's really too simple when it comes down to it, but the 10-year veteran is a definite winner from the deal that sends him from Cleveland to Detroit.