NFL insider gives update on Lions' pursuit of Za'Darius Smith trade

The Detroit Lions are trying to get a trade for an edge rusher done ahead of the deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and their main target appears to be Cleveland Browns edge rusher Za'Darius Smith.

Rumors of the Lions' pursuit of Smith have been plentiful, and there was even a report from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio that a trade between the Lions and Browns for the 32-year-old edge rusher was close and could happen Sunday or Monday.

Unfortunately, that has not come to fruition yet. However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler did give an update on the situation on Monday evening, saying that the two sides are talking.

He added that the Browns are likely looking for a fourth-round pick, but nobody has budged, although the Lions are "looming." Cleveland is waiting to see if any other teams get involved, so that might be the hold up in trade talks (H/T Jeremy Reisman, Pride of Detroit).

“From my understanding, the Browns have wanted an early Day 3 pick, maybe a fourth-round pick or so," Fowler reported. "Nobody’s budged on that yet but the Detroit Lions are looming.

"The Lions and Browns have been engaged in talks about a potential trade here," Fowler added. "The Browns are waiting a little bit to see if somebody else comes into the picture and steals the spotlight here, but there were no major injuries on Sunday at the pass rush position — that hurts Cleveland a little bit.”

This all sounds like good news for the Lions. Granted, no trade has happened yet, but there doesn't appear to be a ton of competition for Smith's services, at least in terms of the quality of offers. That will help keep the price reasonable for Detroit.