By Sunday 
When D.J. Reed signed with the Detroit Lions, it wasn’t just another offseason move—it was a declaration. At 5-foot-9, Reed doesn’t fit the prototype of a dominant NFL cornerback, but don’t tell him that. He’s heard it all before. Now he’s in Detroit with something to prove—and a head coach who matches his energy stride for stride.
“I feel like I’m a unicorn, you feel me?”
That’s not ego—it’s awareness. Reed knows his stature stands out in a league of towering defensive backs. But that’s precisely what makes his game so compelling. “There ain’t really too many 5’9” guys in the league doing what I’m doing,” he told CBS Sports. He’s not wrong, either.
He may not have logged an interception last season, but his presence on the field tells a fuller story. Physical, sharp, and relentless—he’s the kind of defender that Detroit’s scheme was practically built for. And this year, he’s locking in on ball production, eager to turn pass breakups into takeaways.
Backed by the Best
Part of what drew Reed to Detroit was the elite safety duo of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. “That’s just a different level of trust,” Reed said. When two All-Pro-caliber safeties are patrolling behind you, your game gets a little bolder, your moves a little quicker. Reed knows the kind of defense this trio can become—and he’s betting big on it.
All-In on Campbell
Of course, no conversation about the Lions is complete without a nod to the man behind the curtain: Dan Campbell. Reed lit up when talking about Detroit’s aggressive leader.
“He’s going for it on fourth-and-5, he don’t give two (expletives) about what anyone thinks,” Reed said with admiration. “Scared money don’t make money.” That’s the kind of mentality Reed can vibe with—and thrive under.
The Bigger Picture
Reed isn’t in Detroit for a rebuild or a redemption arc. He’s here for something bigger. He wants to redefine what cornerback play looks like at his size. He wants to be trusted in man coverage against the league’s best. And most of all, he wants to win—with grit, with swagger, and with that underdog energy that seems to course through every inch of this Lions team.
The roar is getting louder in Detroit, and D.J. Reed? He’s ready to make it deafening.