By Canadian Press

Browns agree to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Za’Darius Smith from Vikings, AP source says

May 12, 2023 | 5:21 PM

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Minnesota Vikings, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday night.

The Browns are sending fifth-round picks in 2024 and 2025 to the Vikings for Smith, a sixth-round pick in 2025 and a seventh-rounder in 2026, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams had not announced the swap.

In Cleveland, Smith will be paired up front with All-Pro end Myles Garrett, one of the NFL’s best edge rushers.

The 30-year-old Smith had 10 sacks last season and has 54 1/2 since breaking in with Baltimore in 2015.

The Browns have spent the off-season revamping a defence that was abysmal in 2022, leading to the team’s 7-10 record. Among Cleveland’s biggest upgrades were signing free agent tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and safety Juan Thornhill.

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Smith’s arrival will give the Browns two players capable of disrupting the pocket and another weapon for new coordinator Jim Schwartz.

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Tom Withers, The Associated Press