By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions made a strong impression in free agency with their signing of cornerback D.J. Reed — and the move is drawing high praise across the NFL.
Before the market opened, Reed was viewed as one of the top cornerbacks available. The former 49ers, Seahawks, and Jets defender brought versatility, experience, and solid production to the table — and now he brings all of that to Detroit.
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes didn’t hold back her enthusiasm for the acquisition.
“This is one of my favorite signings thus far in free agency,” Kimes said. “Starting with the value, you saw the Jaycee Horn deal coming in. This is a bargain, honestly, well outside the top 10 in average pay for cornerbacks. D.J. Reed has been underrated everywhere he goes, and yet he’s still only 28-years-old. He can play man, he can play zone.”
Kimes also emphasized Reed’s impact on the Lions’ young cornerbacks. “He can also allow the Lions to continue developing their young corners. I think about Ennis Rakestraw coming off of the injury. So you have that nice blend of young guys and now a veteran in Reed,” she added. “To me, this was a home run signing and allows them to avoid reaching for a cornerback in the draft. I really like this.”
Although Reed previously lined up opposite Sauce Gardner with the Jets, he wasn’t just riding shotgun — he made plenty of plays in coverage on his own.
Known for excelling in zone coverage, Reed is expected to transition smoothly into Detroit’s man-heavy scheme. His instincts, ball skills, and willingness to tackle are traits the Lions’ coaching staff will appreciate. In 2024, he posted a missed tackle rate of just 12.1%, showcasing his reliability in the open field.
Sports Illustrated highlighted Reed’s rise, noting he’s become one of the league’s better cornerbacks. Now, he’ll likely be tasked with covering top receivers — a new challenge, but one he appears ready to embrace.
Beyond the field, Reed is also seen as a strong cultural fit for Detroit. NFL reporter Albert Breer shared, “Ex-Jets CB DJ Reed headed for Detroit—a great culture guy, who should be an excellent fit for the Lions, and fantastic for young corners Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw.”