The Detroit Lions’ pass rush was frequently a source of inconsistent play in 2023, despite the team making some notable defensive gains.

According to USA Today’s Jeff Risdon, the Lions are expected to make changes to their edge-rushing corps 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 experienced leadership that the team will be losing, according to Risdon.

Lions Selected to Include “Productive” Veteran Risdon pointed out that with several veterans projected to leave in free agency, the Lions’ pass-rushing corps would probably see some major changes this summer.

“With the Lions revamping the EDGE position—Julian Okwara is already in Philadelphia, and Charles Harris and his brother Romeo Okwara are also free agents—the team may be searching for a more successful veteran who wants to win a Super Bowl one final time. 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 last two seasons. That may have something to do with his decline in 2023.while Smith, who was paired with the more effective Myles Garrett, only had 5.5 sacks and 27 tackles overall.

However, Smith may still be a valuable acquisition to a club that had trouble locating a reliable pass rusher to replace Hutchinson. Hutchinson, a second-year player, accounted for over 30% of the team’s total with 11.5 sacks. No other player finished the year with more than five sacks.

Risdon noted that Smith could provide the consistency that Hutchinson and the rest of the unit lacked.

“Smith, who is 33 years old, is not the same Pro Bowl player that Lions fans may remember from the Packers a few years ago,” he wrote. “Nevertheless, he remains a proficient outside-in pass rusher with the ability to finish in the backfield and plays with disciplined position.”

Smith signed a one-year, $10.5-million contract with the Browns last year, and is two years removed from a three-year, $42-million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. However, Smith may be a more cost-effective acquisition for the Lions.

Lions Adding Equipment for Defense
The Canadian Football League star Mathieu Betts was signed by the Lions to a contract, marking the beginning of the team’s defensive restructuring. The former Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the CFL chose the B.C. Lions over other NFL suitors, recording 18 sacks in 18 games.

“He had offers in both leagues and ultimately the fit in Detroit, they’ve had continued interest in him ever since he worked out for them,” Betts’ agent, Sasha Ghavami, told the Detroit Free Press.

“There’s a really good fit. I think he fits the type of player they look for in terms of high-energy, high-motor, going to give it his all. And I think for him it was another opportunity to go in the NFL and make your way through it. He’s confident in his abilities and I think he just wants the opportunity.”