The Detroit Lions waited until the 11th hour, but after weeks of dialogue with the Cleveland Browns they pulled the trigger on a trade for EDGE Za’Darius Smith. It’s a huge get for the Lions defense, providing some much-needed help in pass rush following the loss of Aidan Hutchinson. The whole team gets better from this acquisition, but who benefits the most?

Question of the day: Which Detroit Lion benefits the most from the Za’Darius Smith trade?

My answer: Hear me out here—it’s Aidan Hutchinson.

There are plenty of beneficiaries in the short term. Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis, Alex Anzalone, and Trevor Nowaske come to mind, among others. But my favorite part of this trade is that it’s not just a half-season flyer. Smith is still under contract with the Lions in 2025 for $11 million. That means we could see Smith and Hutchinson take the field together next September.

The Lions have talked about adding pass rush help for Hutchinson for a while, and regardless of the defensive line’s success early on in the season, it was still high on the list of needs. Suddenly, it’s a lot lower. Smith not only adds a strong pass-rushing presence opposite of Hutchinson for next year, but Smith is also a very disciplined rusher. He sets a firm edge, creating opportunities for others in clean-up duty. We’ve seen Hutch struggle to convert pressures to sacks, and this might just be the catalyst to make those sacks happen.

I love that the Lions made a move to bolster the pass rush in the short term and keep their 2024 prospects solid. But I’m even more excited about the depth the Lions suddenly have entering 2025, and the opportunities it opens up for Aidan Hutchinson upon his return.

Which Detroit Lion do you think is the biggest beneficiary of the Za’Darius Smith trade? Let us know your thoughts below.