A cornerstone addition to an already thriving backfield.
D.J. Reed in Honolulu blue was the perfect free agency signing to keep the talent on Detroit’s roster fresh.
Former Lions cornerback Carlton Davis jumped ship to New England after just one season at Ford Field to cash in on a three-year, $60 million contract.
His departure opened up a starting role for the seven-year veteran who raises the defense’s floor at less monetary expense.
Reed shook hands on a $48 million contract, spanning three years.
Upon reflection, it was one of the shrewdest free agency signings across the league.
Why D.J. Reed is a desirable defensive piece
Before signing with Detroit, Reed had shown five years of consistent high-quality cornerback play for both the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.
His aggression jumped out on tape and caught the eye of new Head Coach Dan Campbell. It is a trait his play style embodies.
Reed’s instincts on the outside allows him to thrive in zone-coverage packages. He also holds up fairly well in man-coverage.
The former Jet is a very physical player with great agility and acceleration, which lets him easily sink in his zone and clamp onto the receiver.
Key matchups throughout 2025
Reed – now the 19th highest-paid cornerback per year in the league – will have to prove his worth every week against a tough slate of wide receiver talent.
The Lions visit the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5, where he will match up against either Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins.
Then Detroit will navigate five tough games from Week 7 through 12.
During this period, the 28-year-old is likely to face off against: Mike Evans, Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin, A.J. Brown and Malik Nabers.
And to close the regular season out, he will see Puka Nacua followed by D.K. Metcalf in Weeks 15 and 16.
The formation of an elite secondary
Much to the delight of Lions fans, Reed will not be facing the league’s most lethal receivers on his own.
Safety pairing Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph will be an essential supporting cast to reduce their impact downfield.
This offseason, Joseph agreed a four-year, $86 million extension after an impressive season, notably leading the league in interceptions with nine.
And Branch showed significant development in his second season, registering 109 total tackles with four interceptions of his own.
With Reed’s prime years expected to be played in Detroit – accompanied by Branch and Joseph – Lions fans will have front row seats for an elite-level secondary built off intuition and tenacity.
