**Lions Eye Potential Trade for Browns' Defensive End Za'Darius Smith**

Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in acquiring Cleveland Browns' defensive end Za'Darius Smith. With Aidan Hutchinson out of the game, the Lions are keen on someone who matches his physical profile - standing tall at 6-foot-4 and weighing around 275 pounds, Smith fits the bill perfectly. Smith's current performance is admirable, with 5.0 sacks and a Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass rush grade of 70.0, making him a long-term asset for the team.

Smith himself has indicated that he views the Lions as a good fit for his skills. The main issue now is determining the potential cost of such a trade. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, drawing from his sources, suggests that acquiring Smith might not be as costly as one might think. "Though Cleveland won't be looking to dump core players, it could be active if the right opportunities arise," Fowler mentioned recently. "A decent Day 3 pick for Smith probably will get the job done, from what I'm hearing."

This puts the Lions in a favorable position to negotiate, given their ample resources. Additionally, Smith's contract details are appealing. He is currently on a league-minimum salary of $1.21 million for this year, and his 2025 costs are primarily tied up in non-guaranteed roster bonuses, with a mere $1.5 million salary for the next year.

Despite showing interest, the Lions are also exploring in-house options to compensate for Hutchinson's absence. General manager Brad Holmes is actively scouring the market while coach Dan Campbell emphasizes a measured approach. "We're still talking about it and they're still working through it," Campbell commented earlier this week. "I'm not concerned, there's other ways of creating pressure and, yeah, would you like a little more? Yeah, we'd like a little bit more. [...] We're aware and we're still looking at it, but no, I wouldn't say we're in panic mode."

The Lions' management seems prepared to make strategic decisions rather than hasty moves, ensuring the best fit and value for the team.