According to USA Today’s Jeff Risdon, the Lions are expected to make changes to their edge-rushing group this summer. A three-time Pro Bowler would make sense as a backup for star Aidan Hutchinson. Za’Darius Smith, a former edge rusher for the Cleveland Browns, might be a “under-the-radar” addition to the Lions this summer to help replace some of the veteran leadership that the team will be losing, according to Risdon.
Risdon pointed out that with some veterans anticipated to leave in free agency, the Lions’ pass-rushing unit would probably see some major changes this offseason.
“The Lions may be shopping for a more productive veteran seeking a final Super Bowl opportunity, since they are revamping the EDGE position with Julian Okwara already in Philadelphia and Charles Harris and his brother Romeo both free agents. Smith is that, Risdon wrote.
Before free agency opens in March, Risdon observed that Smith doesn’t seem to be receiving much attention, particularly considering that he has 15.5 sacks over the previous two seasons. That may be partially due to Smith’s decline in 2023, when he played with the more effective Myles Garrett and only recorded 5.5 sacks and 27 total tackles.
