The Detroit Lions’ impressive season fell apart due to injuries, particularly in the secondary, where Washington Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels shredded their defense for 45 points in the NFC Divisional Round.
To prevent a repeat of that downfall, Detroit made a calculated yet impactful investment by signing cornerback D.J. Reed. Previously with the New York Jets, Reed agreed to a three-year, $48 million contract to join the Lions.
Seth Walder of ESPN praised the signing as the single best move of free agency so far. He highlighted not just Reed’s talent and the problem he solves for Detroit, but also the exceptional value of his contract compared to other top cornerbacks on the market.
“[Reed] has consistently performed well at a highly unpredictable position, allowing under 1.1 yards per coverage snap (the league average for outside corners) for four straight seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats,” Walder wrote.
“I also believe he was the top corner in this free agency class, making him a clear upgrade over Carlton Davis III. The Patriots are now paying Davis $20 million annually, while the Lions are paying Reed only $16 million. So Detroit not only secured a top-tier player to address a crucial weakness but did so at a bargain price.”
Reed, a seven-year NFL veteran, will celebrate his 29th birthday in November.