Browns rookies were barely a day into settling into their new NFL home Friday when major news broke about a huge acquisition to the defense.
Three-time Pro Bowl DE Za’Darius Smith was becoming their teammate. Word began to spread on social media that evening as rookies were wrapping up their first day of minicamp, and all of them were pleased to see their new team make a massive addition to their defensive line.
"I was in my hotel room, actually watching film and going over the playbook," fourth-round rookie DE Isaiah McGuire said. "Seeing that and sending it to my family, and then us talking about what a great opportunity it is for me as a young player to add that presence to the room and just overall and continuing to improve our pass rush."
Check out photos over the years of the Browns' new Pro Bowl edge rusher, Za'Darius Smith
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) celebrates after winning 34-26 against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
FILE - In this May 21, 2019, file photo, Green Bay Packers Za'Darius Smith takes part in an NFL football practice in Green Bay, Wis. It's an offseason of change at a hallmark position for the Green Bay Packers: Clay Matthews and Nick Perry aren't at outside linebacker anymore and the likes of Julius Peppers or Bryce Paup aren't walking through the door. That doesn't bother the Packers, who seem quite happy with who they have: Za'Darius Smith, Kyler Fackrell and Preston Smith. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, FIle)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith walks on the field during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Baltimore. With unrestricted free agent linebackers C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith headed elsewhere after the release last week of safety Eric Weddle, the Ravens lost four key contributors while adding much-needed salary cap space. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith on the field during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) prepares to rush during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan 22. 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) celebrates after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) plays defense during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2018, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith gestures in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Baltimore. The Green Bay Packers agreed to $183 million worth of contracts Tuesday, March 12, 2019, with edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, linebacker Preston Smith, safety Adrian Amos and offensive lineman Billy Turner. The signings should improve a defense that ranked 18th in the NFL in 2018 and add some more protection for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) reacts after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) reacts after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan 22. 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) rushes during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan 22. 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) celebrates after winning 34-26 against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
FILE - Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) plays against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Dec. 13, 2020. The Green Bay Packers signed outside linebacker Preston Smith to a contract extension and released outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith and offensive lineman Billy Turner in a flurry of moves before the start of the free-agency period. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) reacts after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, September 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Smith is one of five players in the NFL who has totaled double-digit sacks in three of the last four seasons and undoubtedly upgrades a defensive line that will feature several new players this season.
He and new DT Dalvin Tomlinson were two of the biggest moves the Browns completed this offseason in their quest to build a bully up front. That task will be spearheaded by new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who's been successful in building top-tier defensive lines in his three decades in the NFL.
Smith, Pro Bowler last year, should be a perfect fit for his schemes — and a resource for the other young pass rushers the Browns are looking to develop.
"Me being a rookie coming in, having the opportunity to learn from a great vet such as Za'Darius, as well as the other people in the room, is truly an honor and a blessing," McGuire said. "I'm excited to learn from those people, pick their brains and just improve overall."
Check out action of all the Browns rookies from the practice fields at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for rookie minicamp.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (91) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Bubba Ventrone during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Defensive end Jeremiah Martin (69) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Linebacker Storey Jackson (49) and Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Defensive back Ronnie Hickman (33) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
General Manager Andrew Berry and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Linebacker Storey Jackson (49) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Defensive Line Coach Ben Bloom during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
General Manager Andrew Berry during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Linebacker Charlie Thomas III (35) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Callie Brownson during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Senior Offensive Assistant Bill Musgrave during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (89) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Linebacker Storey Jackson (49) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Wide receiver Daylen Baldwin (87) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Defensive back Quincy Wilson (41) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Linebacker Storey Jackson (49) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Linebacker Storey Jackson (49) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Defensive back Quincy Wilson (41) during practice on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 13, 2023.
Third-round rookie DT Siaki Ika views Smith as an example that a draft round is only a number in a player's profile.
Smith was a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in 2015. His Pro Bowl success wasn't immediate, either, and he didn't become one of the league's top edge rushers until he joined the Packers in 2019.
Patience is often required for mid-round picks to leave their mark in the NFL, but Ika hopes that having Smith in his room will accelerate his growth in Cleveland.
"It gets me excited, real excited," he said. "(Excited) for what I want for myself in the future, so seeing someone like that and being able to learn from someone like that, really exciting."
