4. Eagles DE Josh Sweat
Sweat definitely lands more on unlikely side for the Lions among free agent targets, given his status as an top-tier free agent overall (No. 10 in Pro Football Focus' free agent rankings) with the projected cost to back it up ($18.8 million per year, according to Spotrac). But if they're thinking about pursuing some big edge rusher fish on the trade market to pair with Aidan Hutchinson (Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett), the cost to sign Sweat would fall under that and a case can be made that he has yet to reach his ceiling.
A deal to sign Sweat could be structured to make it more palatable for the Lions salary-cap wise. If a notable swing for an edge rusher on the free agent market is coming, Sweat has to be on the list for Detroit and he has a showcase opportunity on Super Bowl Sunday.
3. Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers
Rodgers was one of the players around the league who was suspended for the entire 2023 season for violating the NFL's gambling policy. But unlike the others, he landed with a new team after being waived (by the Indianapolis Colts in his case and upon being reinstated for the 2024 season he had a job.
Rodgers hasn't played a ton this season (328 defensive snaps over 15 regular season games), since the Eagles go three-deep with top-tier cornerbacks (Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean). But when called upon to play more he has stepped up, registering a top-30 overall grade among qualifying cornerbacks from Pro Football Focus.
Rodgers is on the small side (5-foot-10, 170 pounds), but he has mostly lined up on the outside in his career along with being a willing and capable run defender. If things go a certain way for the Lions on the cornerback market (see losing Carlton Davis), Rodgers may land as viable low-cost pivot.