The Detroit Lions made a major move to upgrade their secondary this offseason — and it’s already getting national praise.
D.J. Reed, who signed a 3-year, $48 million deal with Detroit, has been ranked one of the top 25 offseason moves across the NFL by Bleacher Report, coming in at No. 17. With the Lions struggling to stop the pass in 2024 — finishing dead last in the NFC — the Reed signing looks like a smart response to a glaring problem.
Analyst Gary Davenport didn’t hold back, calling Reed an “upgrade” over Carlton Davis III, who left in free agency. He noted that Reed hasn’t allowed a passer rating over 90 in a single season since 2019, showing his consistency as a shutdown corner.
Reed is expected to play a major role in 2025, potentially lining up as Detroit’s No. 1 corner depending on the development of rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. But even if he’s not always shadowing WR1s, his leadership and experience will be invaluable for a team with deep playoff hopes.
This signing wasn’t just about filling a hole — it was about getting better. The Lions made their move. Now it’s up to Reed to help transform one of the league’s weakest pass defenses into a strength.
D.J. Reed Deal Called One of NFL’s Best Offseason Moves — Here’s Why It Matters for the Lions
