5 teams who could steal Za'Darius Smith from the Lions before the trade deadline

2. Atlanta Falcons

Matthew Judon has not had the impact the Falcons hoped he would after they acquired him from the New England Patriots (1.5 sacks this season, none since Week 2; Pro Football Focus' 109th-graded edge defender through Week 8). They have a league-low six sacks entering Week 9.

Yes, Smith is the same age as Judon (32). But Smith is actually playing at a high level this season, as a top-40 graded edge rusher from PFF with five sacks and a solid surge in his play lately (two sacks and 14 pressures over his last two games). So Atlanta should be eyeing Smith as a supplement to their pass rush, and an ideal cover if Judon can't turn around his performance going forward.

With teams that are 2-6 and 1-67 in the NFC South, and already a season sweep of their only real competition (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), the 5-3 Falcons can be looking beyond what seems like an inevitable division title and eye moves to lock that in while also bolstering a potential playoff run to try to unseat the Lions, who are likely to remain the favorites to represent the NFC In the Super Bowl.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman never leaves a perceived need unaddressed, or ignores the possibility to fortify an area of the team with a consistent eye on a deep playoff run in any given year.

While Philadelphia's 20 sacks aren't egregiously bad in league ranks entering Week 9 (middle of the pack), no one on the team currently has more than three sacks and like the Cardinals their deeper pressure metrics are toward the bottom of the league.

The 5-2 Eagles could make the Browns an offer for Smith they should not refuse, perhaps better than the rumored "good Day 3 draft pick." As a fellow top contender in the NFC, the Lions cannot let the generally aggressive on the trade front Eagles have Smith without making their absolute best offer.