The Detroit Lions' trade for Za'Darius Smith back in 2024 came at a moment of desperation. With Aidan Hutchinson going down with a season-ending leg injury, the team had to make a move to land some punch back along their defensive front. Smith had been piecing together a great year with the struggling Cleveland Browns, and he was the perfect edge rusher to target.
While with the Lions, he had four sacks, one pass defended, and 12 total tackles in eight games played, but he didn't have much impact in the postseason - which is exactly where Detroit needed him most. So, they let him walk in free agency in 2025.
There was still some unfinished business when it came to Smith, though. The Lions had acquired the 222nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by way of the trade, and Detroit used that pick on 30-visit defensive tackle Tyre West. The Tennessee defender had interest from several teams, including Aaron Glenn's New York Jets, but the Lions managed to snag him first.
Lions complete Smith trade in 2026 NFL Draft
Full details of trade:
Lions receive:
EDGE Za'Darius Smith
2026 7th-rounder (DT Tyre West)
Browns receive:
2025 fifth-rounder (QB Shedeur Sanders)
2026 sixth-rounder
The Lions have since improved their depth at pass rusher, drafting Michigan's Derrick Moore in this year's draft while also signing D.J. Wonnum in free agency. Alim McNeill is also an underrated pocket disruptor when healthy, which is a dimension to their defense they were sorely missing in 2025.
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West doesn't project as a starter, but he has an interesting profile if Detroit can get something out of his strength despite his size. He probably will not translate as a defensive tackle in the NFL because he's on the shorter side, but the Lions obviously see some versatility in him to have used a pick on him.
Smith retired shortly after his time with the Lions, playing some time with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to making that announcement. It's nice that he was able to squeeze out some meaningful football with Detroit prior to that retirement.
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