Za’Darius Smith is a genuine game-changer for the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have landed the Pro Bowl counter to Myles Garrett in Za’Darius Smith.

The Cleveland Browns have swung for the fences and nailed a homerun this offseason. Somehow the Cleveland Browns were able to land three-time Pro Bowler and former Second Team All-Pro defensive end Za’Darius Smith from the Minnesota Vikings. The move bolsters the defensive line in a way that wasn’t expected and will cost the Browns $11.75 against the cap for this season.

Smith spent his first few years as a defensive end alternate for the Ravens, doing some solid work off the bench over four years, with 18.5 sacks during his time there. In Green Bay, Smith would become a Pro Bowler and a regular starter, earning two Pro Bowl nods and an All-Pro nod as an outside linebacker. During his two health years in Green Bay, Smith had 26 sacks.

After a year sidelined due to injury, Smith debuted with the Minnesota Vikings and looked to be back to his former self, where he racked up 10 more sacks and another Pro Bowl nod. Now the Vikings are trading him to the Browns for just two fifth-round picks in 2024 and 2025.

The Browns, besides getting Smith, also get a ’25 6th and 7th-round pick.

The Za’Darius Smith trade was the move the Cleveland Browns desperately needed

I’ve not been an easy man to impress when it comes to the Cleveland Browns. I don’t think too highly of Andrew Berry and seeing how he’s drafted and signed guys over the last four years, I feel like I’m not unjustified in my skepticism of his ability to build a team.

I still don’t think this is a great team on paper, but the Za’Darius Smith trade is perfect. The Browns really only have a year or two to compete before the team gets gutted due to the rising costs of certain players, so going all in to make sure the team has the best shot to win this year is the way to go.

Smith adds a stellar player opposite of Myles Garrett and arguably gives him the best pass-rushing teammate he’s ever had.

PFF has him highly rated over the last few years, (save for 2021).

• 2022: 82.2 Overall, 70.0 Run Defense, 84.7 Pass Rush
• 2020: 76.7 Overall, 60.5 Run Defense, 86.0 Pass Rush
• 2019: 90.0 Overall, 78.0 Run Defense, 89.8 Pass Rush

While the Browns need better run defense from their players than they’ve been getting in recent years, if Smith continues the recent trend against the run, while being one of the league’s best pass-rushers, then this will be a front four to see.

Yes, his arrival makes the Ogbonnia Okoronkwo signing look really bad in hindsight, as he’ was signed to start for the Browns, hence his large salary. But the Browns couldn’t pass up Smith as an option, especially for the peanuts given up to get him.

Ideally, you’d like to see him stick around, but it seems that everyone believes that he’s a one-year rental and if so, what a rental.

The Browns need one more reliable defensive tackle this offseason and then I’d say their front four may be the best they’ve ever had on paper. And no, not just since 1999.