Azeez Ojulari’s trade options shrink after Lions trade for Za’Darius Smith

Za'Darius Smith is on the move.

With the trade deadline closing in, the Lions have acquired edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Browns, crossing off a key destination for NY Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari.

Detroit sent a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to Cleveland, locking in the experienced Smith and leaving Giants GM Joe Schoen with one less suitor for Ojulari.

The Lions, NFC contenders with a weakened edge rotation after Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending injury, have been eyeing pass rush help for weeks. Smith, who has five sacks and six tackles for loss in nine games, brings exactly the kind of production Detroit needed to support its playoff push.

Za'Darius Smith trade erases yet another trade destination for Azeez Ojulari

With the Lions making this move, Ojulari’s market just shrank. Despite his upside as a dynamic pass rusher, Ojulari is on the outside looking in with the Giants, who are set with starters Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.

Moving him would be a smart way for Schoen to gain some valuable draft capital before Ojulari hits free agency next season.

For the Browns, offloading Smith is just the latest in their deadline fire sale. Cleveland, 2-7 and in rebuild mode, is looking to stockpile picks as they prepare for an offseason with a hefty cap situation. Smith was an obvious trade candidate, and Detroit quickly closed the deal after shopping around for options at edge defender.

The Lions are now locked and loaded on defense for the stretch run, while the Giants must look elsewhere if they want to turn Ojulari into trade value.

Ojulari trade destinations are drying up. After yesterday's Baron Browning trade, the Arizona Cardinals no longer have much need for the 24-year-old. Detroit was considered one of the more logical trade destinations until they weren't.

With two prime suitors off the board, the Giants are running out of options to move Azeez Ojulari before the deadline. Both ideal fits, The Cardinals and Lions have filled their pass-rush needs elsewhere. Schoen must act fast if he wants to find a trade partner and secure any value for Ojulari before time runs out.

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