Rumored Eagles trade candidate looks like perfect fit for Lions

The Detroit Lions are seeking defensive talent this offseason, and one particular spot they need to focus on for upgrades is the defensive line.

With just 41 sacks in 2023, putting more pressure on the quarterback is paramount for the Lions in 2024. The free agency market might make finding a game-changing addition difficult, so a trade could be the best avenue.

Some intriguing names are available, and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport added a new name to the market a couple days before free agency gets rolling.

Sweat is coming off a 2023 season which saw him post 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks, so this could represent a chance for the Lions to buy a bit low on a player who has 35 career sacks.

Philadelphia could be looking at some major changes this offseason on defense, and shipping out Sweat might be the beginning of moves to shake things up. If he is indeed on the block, with "having trade calls" an insinuation the Eagles are (or were, prior to the report) making more than taking calls, they have probably called Detroit.

Josh Sweat would be game-changing addition for Detroit Lions

The cost to acquire a player like Sweat from an NFC rival would likely be steep. But the gamble could be worth it for Detroit.

Sweat would offer the Lions a solution to build around that has been NFL tested. At 26 years old, his best football could easily be well ahead of him. There's no question that Sweat would offer the Lions a more dynamic option than they have had recently beside Hutchinson. It would also alleviate the pressure on making a risky free agency signing and instead allow the Lions to bargain shop.

The Lions need to have a bold offseason to extend and maximize their Super Bowl window, and the addition of a player like Sweat in addition to a game-changing cornerback could be the perfect recipe for a major defensive turnaround.