The Detroit Lions have given up 30 and 41 points through two weeks. They're somehow 1-1, though they could easily be 0-2, and it doesn't seem like they have the personnel to turn things around right now.
Head coach Dan Campbell already ruled out making a big trade, but that was before their humiliation on Thursday Night Football. If anything, that beating should change Brad Holmes' plan or get him fired.
Considering that, and given the lack of support for Aidan Hutchinson, they should be all over Josh Sweat. He might be the pass-rushing sidekick they've tried to give Hutchinson for long, and he might be available at a reasonable price.
The Lions should go all-in on Josh Sweat
As much as the Arizona Cardinals insist they don't want to trade Sweat, the writing is on the wall. Yes, they're 1-0, but that's not sustainable, especially with a date with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks up next.
More than that, Sweat held out for a while in the offseason. It was never confirmed to be contract-related, but one would have to be extremely naive to think he'll be happy on a non-contending team after his coach and mentor left the building.
The pass-rushing department isn't the only thing that's wrong with Kelvin Sheppard's defense, not by a mile. But with multiple teams trying to get their hands on Joey Porter Jr. and Denzel Ward reportedly unavailable, there are limited avenues to improve their shaky cornerback room.
With a stout defensive line, perhaps the second-best thing to do will be to give this team some much-needed help in the pass-rushing department. Hutchinson got off to a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber start to the season, but there's only so much he can do on his own, and he won't even be a finalist for the award if his team continues to be exposed on defense.
Sweat can adapt to multiple systems. He can line up on the edge, play as a traditional defensive end, put his fist on the ground, or do pretty much whatever the team needs. He may not be a superstar, but he's a 10-sack-type defensive catalyst to free Hutchinson on the other side of the line.
For too long, Brad Holmes has ignored this team's glaring defensive needs. This team can't hope to just outscore everyone in their way to a championship, and that tough loss to the Bills should've been the wake-up call they needed.
There's still time, but they have to make a move. Now.
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