THE Detroit LionsThe pass rush had been shaky since losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending leg injury in Week 6.

Since Hutchinson went down, the Lions defensive line has not recorded a single sack. In fact, the defense, as a whole, recorded just two sacks in the three games without the Defensive Player of the Year contender.

Consequently, the Lions The hope is that newly acquired defensive end Za’Darius Smith will bring a boost of energy and production to a talented, but underperforming, defensive line group.

Black-smith recorded five sacks in nine games with the Cleveland Browns, who fell to 2-7 on the year with a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The 32-year-old’s stat line up to nine games will rank among the best on the Lions’ roster, although Detroit played one fewer game than Cleveland due to the Week 5 bye. Smith’s five sacks rank first among active Lions, while his 27 pressures are tied with Alim McNeill.

He enters as a starter as soon as he is ready to play in the Lions‘ system. He seems likely to line up opposite Josh Paschal when he returns from illness, or James Houston and Al-Quadin Muhammad if Paschal is not recovered in Week 10.

Smith’s ability to rush off the edge pairs well with Paschal’s ability to set the edge in the running game. Below is an example of the tenacity with which Smith rushes, as he dominates the Dallas Cowboys right tackle for a sack in Week 1.

In terms of alignment, Black-smith has lined up outside of the opposing tackle on the majority of his snaps this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 282 of his 319 snaps in this alignment, with 28 snaps aligned at tackle and nine snaps aligned in the B-space.

As for PFF grades, Smith has an overall defensive grade of 73.6, a run defense grade of 65.9 and a pass rush grade of 71.1. Smith’s overall defensive rating would rank sixth on the Lions. The Lions currently have three defenders with a grade of 90.0 or higher in Hutchinson and safeties Kerby Joseph (90.7) and Brian Branch (90.0).

Smith also comes from a leadership perspective. With Detroit’s emphasis on culture, it was clear that the Lions It should be considered as a cultural partner to conclude this agreement.

As rumors swirled about a potential trade on Sunday, several of Smith’s teammates in Cleveland weighed in on what the veteran meant for the team.

“I mean, Z is my brother, man,” Browns safety Juan Thornhill told reporters after the game. “He means a lot. Everyone is going to feel it if he leaves here. It’s going to hurt. He means a lot. He’s coming back there. He brings a lot of energy. He’s one of the leaders of our defense, but I wish nothing but the best for him. It’s going to be hard to lose a guy like that.”

Detroit’s new addition will have the opportunity to play against two of his former teams: the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. THE Lions will face the Packers on Thursday Night Football on December 5 in Week 14, as well as a season finale showdown against the Vikings at a date to be determined.

The ability to play against former teams was a factor in which Smith initially said he would welcome a trade with the team. Lionssince he played three seasons for the Packers and one for the Vikings. He was traded from the Vikings to the Browns before the 2023 season in exchange for two fifth-round picks.

Black-smith is clearly an improvement over the Lions’ pass rush and has the opportunity to be a difference-maker in what the team hopes will be a championship season.