Vikings - Browns trade grades: Who won the deal for Za'Darius Smith?
The Cleveland Browns have landed a major piece for their defense post-2023 NFL Draft.
On Friday evening, the Minnesota Vikings traded outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith to Cleveland in exchange for draft picks.
The former Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers pass rusher posted up 10 sacks for the Vikings last season and has posted up double-digit sacks three out of the last four seasons. He missed most all of 2021 with injury.
Smith reportedly wanted out of Minnesota as early as March, but the Vikings didn’t want to release him and opted instead to trade the veteran rusher to the AFC.
In Cleveland, he’ll pair with elite defensive end Myles Garrett for at least a year to form a lethal pass-rushing duo.
The #Vikings are trading three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to the #Browns, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
His reworked deal guarantees him $11.75 million in 2023 and he’ll be a FA next March. Deal negotiated by his new agent @ErikBurkhardt of @RocNationSports. pic.twitter.com/dBld2TfSzp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 12, 2023
Who came out on top in this trade, Cleveland or Minnesota?