On Friday the Cleveland Browns made a major move by trading with the Minnesota Vikings for defensive end, Za’Darius Smith.

The Browns now have Smith to complement Myles Garrett, but also can move Smith in the middle next to Dalvin Tomlinson, who they signed in free-agency, formerly with the Vikings as well.

Cleveland had been looking to upgrade its pass rush and wasn’t interested in re-signing Jadeveon Clowney who had just 11 sacks in his 26 games as a Brown.

Za’Darius Smith is coming off a season last year in which he recorded 10 sacks, and that type of production is what General Manager, Andrew Berry is hoping for this year in Cleveland.

New defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, now has a defensive end group that includes All-Pro Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, newly signed Ogbonnia Okoronkwo from the Houston Texans, who had one of the highest pressure rates in the NFL last year, and also second year player 6’7″ Alex Wright.

The Browns also drafted Isaiah McGuire from Missouri who can rush the passer but also is great at stopping the run.

To put the addition of Smith in perspective the Browns pass rush group was ranked 14th overall by ESPN analyst Mike Clay, before the trade to acquire Smith, and now is ranked third overall behind the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys.

The Browns play in a divison with Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Kenny Pickett, so getting to the quarterback will be a top priority, especially if Cleveland wants to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

-Ed in Columbus

@Ed_In_Columbus

*Photo courtesy of WBAY*