“Minnesota Vikings Boost Defense with Za’Darius Smith Trade: Trade Grades and Analysis”

The Minnesota Vikings made a significant move by trading three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns were able to acquire Smith and two future late-round draft picks in exchange for a couple of late-round picks. The move allowed the Vikings to shed some salary cap space and improve their future draft capital.

For the Browns, this was a much-needed addition to their defense, which had struggled to garner sacks in the past season. Adding Smith to the defensive fold would give them a much-needed boost, especially in a conference that boasts of some of the best quarterbacks who demand an elite defense.

Smith, who at 30 is still in his prime, was signed with the Vikings with a $9.4 million base salary with $5 million guaranteed. He will now receive $11.75 million this year as part of his reworked deal. As a result of his addition, Smith would join a Browns defense that already features several Pro Bowl players, including Myles Garrett, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., and defensive backs Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, and Greg Newsome II.

Although Smith’s loss is considered a huge loss for the Vikings, who still have Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport in their linebacker corps, they were able to pick up the pieces by adding some new talent via the draft. They picked up cornerback Mekhi Blackmon in the third round, safety Jay Ward in the fourth round, and nose tackle Jaquelin Roy in the fifth round.

The trade analysis shows that the Browns clearly won with this trade, having been able to add a Pro Bowl caliber player while giving up little. On the other hand, the Vikings gain a respectable grade due to their ability to save some salary cap space and also improve their draft capital.

In conclusion, the Za’Darius Smith trade is a significant one for both teams. The Browns have bolstered their pass rush, while the Vikings have shed some salary cap space and improved their future draft capital. However, as it stands, only time will tell how each team fared in the long run with this trade.

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