Could D.J. Reed Be the Answer for Detroit’s Secondary?

With the Detroit Lions aiming to strengthen their secondary after a tough playoff exit, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has identified the perfect free-agent match for them: New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed. As the Lions transition to a new defensive coordinator, Reed’s skill set could be a valuable addition to a unit that heavily relies on man coverage.

Lions’ Defensive Identity Remains Intact

Despite the departure of Aaron Glenn to become the Jets’ head coach, Detroit is expected to maintain a similar defensive philosophy under new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. The Lions’ defense leaned heavily on Cover 1 last season, running it on 33.7% of snaps—one of the highest rates in the league.

PFF analyst Bradley Locker highlighted why Reed fits this scheme perfectly:

“As the Lions transition away from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to in-house successor Kelvin Sheppard, the backbone of their defensive structure isn’t yet known — but it’s fair to assume that most of the fundamentals will remain in place. Either way, adding arguably the top cornerback on the market in Reed wouldn’t hurt.”

Reed has been a reliable performer in man coverage, earning a 70.7 PFF coverage grade in Cover 1 since 2022, ranking 12th among qualified cornerbacks. Even in what was considered a down season, he still maintained a 70.0-plus PFF coverage grade for the sixth consecutive year.

Will Detroit Make a Move?

The Lions reportedly want to retain veteran cornerback Carlton Davis, but if he signs elsewhere, general manager Brad Holmes has the cap flexibility—approximately $51 million—to pursue a top-tier replacement.

Detroit’s secondary already features promising young talents like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, along with veteran Amik Robertson, who had a strong debut season with the team. Adding a proven, consistent performer like Reed could provide much-needed experience and stability.

As free agency approaches, all eyes will be on the Lions to see if they make a move to land one of the best cornerbacks available.