The Lions’ decision to replace Carlton Davis with D.J. Reed is looking better by the day. ESPN’s Seth Walder even went as far as calling it the best signing of free agency.
Reed, who thrived opposite Sauce Gardner in New York, signed a three-year, $48 million deal—$4 million less per year than what Davis got in New England. Walder believes Reed is not only a solid addition but an outright upgrade. He’s consistently allowed below-average yardage per coverage snap over the last four seasons and brings much-needed veteran leadership to a young Lions secondary featuring rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw.
If Reed performs at his usual level and Detroit’s young DBs step up, this secondary could quickly become one of the league’s best.