Detroit Lions radio analyst Lomas Braown speaks to Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett on Super Bowl radio row on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Za’Darius Smith’s name doesn’t spring to mind when thinking of the NFL’s best pass rushers, at least not in the same way DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney and Frank Clark do.
But while Lawrence, Clowney and Clark are likely headed for the franchise tag this offseason, Smith is the type of quality pass rusher who fits much of the criteria general manager Bob Quinn laid out last week when explaining what the Detroit Lions will be looking for in free agency.