Since Aidan Hutchinson went down with a fractured left fibula and tibia in Week 6, and already without Marcus Davenport after he was injured in Week 3, the Detroit Lions were clearly searching for pass rush help.
On Tuesday morning the search ended in the hours before the trade deadline, with a deal to bring defensive end Za'Darius Smith in from the Cleveland Browns for what amounts to a mid-Day 3 draft pick.
Smith is of course a major addition to the Lions' defensive line, as seemingly an ideal scheme fit who fits the physical profile they want in edge defenders. Add in how he basically said he wanted to come to Detroit when the topic was brought up and he is consistently praised for his leadership, and he was indeed the kind of fit Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell were intent on finding if they added an edge rusher.
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Current, updated Lions defensive line depth chart with Za'Darius Smith
LDE: Za'Darius Smith, Al-Quadin Muhammad
NT: DJ Reader, Pat O'Connor
DT: Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Mehki Wingo
RDE: Josh Paschal, Isaiah Thomas
Smith has lined up all over the defensive front for the Browns this season, from standup outside linebacker to inside as a three-technique. But for depth chart purposes we'll list him where he has played the most this season, on the left side.
Onwuzurike has seen noticeable time at both defensive end spots this season, before and after Hutchinson went down, and he probably still will even with Smith added to the mix. So his listing as McNeill's backup inside at defensive tackle comes with the caveat he seems sure to maintain a solid role as an edge player.
In games he has played, Wingo has seen a little time as a defensive end. That may continue.
Over three games since being added to the 53-man roster, O'Conner has played both defensive tackle spots.
Overall, due to the overall versatility that exists in the group (which Smith notably adds a lot to), this is a very loose depth chart listing. But the bottom line about the addition of Smith holds: He adds experience and production to a defensive end/edge rusher group that needed an injection of both.