Let’s start this off by saying that this doesn’t mean that the Detroit Lions won’t bring back Za’Darius Smith. That could still very well happen, but with a few weeks of training camp in the books, it’s fair to question at this time if the Lions need to bring him back, and maybe it’s fair to wonder if the Lions might not see him as a pressing need right now.
The first thing is that Aidan Hutchinson doesn’t at all look like a player who has lost a step after recovering from his leg injury. He actually looks like a guy who has gained a step, if anything. Hutchinson being this good makes players around him better. Players like DJ Reader, who is looking so much better than he did last year, and he wasn’t really even that bad. Tyleik Williams is also taking advantage of this.
Then there’s Marcus Davenport. I know that everyone is in constant fear of him getting injured, and that is totally warranted at this time. He has a lengthy injury history. Right now, he looks healthy, and he also looks like a player who is going to be a big problem for quarterbacks if he can stay that way.
You also have to look at sixth-round pick Ahmed Hassanein. The Lions are loving this kid right now, and he keeps improving. He’s the likely heir to the throne for the edge rusher spot opposite Hutchinson. Right now, it feels kind of foolish to take any kind of reps away from him.
The cherries on top are the young guys like Nate Lynn and Keith Cooper, and the veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad. Then you get Josh Pascahl back in September, and Mekhi Wingo, who can play that big end, is expected back around the same time, if not earlier.
The room is pretty full right now. You’ve got your starter in Davenport, your veteran rotational piece in Muhammad, Paschal provides steady rotational pressure as well, and then there’s the rookie you want to see more out of by giving him more reps. Where does Smith fit into all of this?
It’s obvious that Smith can be a help to any team. He’s a good edge rusher who is capable of getting home, but why set back the development at this time? If you have a guy who can make a difference and get pressure and get home with Davenport already, let’s see more snaps go to Hassanein. Let’s see Lynn and Cooper get more development. It just makes sense from a long-term aspect. That’s generally the only way the Lions see things.
Now, if there’s an injury or something, then it makes all the sense in the world. Will Smith still be available during that time? Who knows? The Lions have been in contact with Smith during the offseason, and he has voiced that he would like to be back in Detroit. There’s some thought that maybe he’s looking to miss as much camp as possible. Something a lot of veterans like to do. He has never personally said that, and the Lions haven’t given any updates as to where things are with him. We don’t know if he’s coming, but right now it feels like they might be good to go without him.
