In a move that didn’t take long to materialize, the Detroit Lions made a major splash in the 2025 free agency period by securing D.J. Reed, the former New York Jets cornerback, to a three-year, $48 million contract. Reed, who played a key role in the Jets’ defense over the past three seasons, is expected to take over the starting cornerback role vacated by Carlton Davis, who recently signed with the New England Patriots.
Originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, Reed’s career truly took off after transitioning to an outside cornerback role with the Seattle Seahawks. His strong showing with the Jets over the past three years—where he earned 46 starts—made him one of the top cornerbacks available in this free agency cycle. Reed’s ability to excel in press-man coverage, as well as his durability (missing only five games in three seasons), makes him a valuable addition to the Lions’ secondary.
With Reed now in the fold, the Lions’ cornerback depth chart has significantly improved. He is expected to start opposite Terrion Arnold on the outside, while Amik Robertson could slot in as the nickel. This signing likely removes the Lions from selecting a cornerback in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, but they could still look to add more depth through later draft picks or other free-agent signings.
The addition of Reed is a solid move for Detroit, bolstering their defense as they look to build on a promising season and prepare for another deep playoff push.
D.J. Reed to Detroit: How the Lions Found Their Next Defensive Anchor
