Grading D.J. Reed’s reported three-year deal with the Detroit Lions in free agency.
After reports suggested the Detroit Lions were targeting free-agent cornerbacks in the $12 million-per-year range —and after seeing Carlton Davis III land a $20 million-per-year deal with the Patriots—it was a bit surprising to see D.J. Reed quickly agree to terms with Detroit. Surprising, but also exciting. Landing Reed at $4 million per year less than Davis III and $2 million per year less than Paulson Adebo represents strong Day 1 free agency value.
Following a season where the secondary was the defense’s most consistent unit, the Lions are making it a priority to keep it as a strength.
Here’s how Reed will impact the 2025 Lions, how his signing shapes the rest of the team’s offseason strategy, and my grade for the move.
How good is D.J. Reed?
Reed signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the New York Jets in 2022 free agency and quickly outperformed that reasonable contract. As the No. 2 cornerback opposite Sauce Gardner, he thrived in Robert Saleh’s press-man scheme, playing primarily as the right cornerback—similar to Carlton Davis III in 2024—where his competitive nature took over.
Reed’s early NFL development was stunted when the 49ers drafted him and moved him into a hybrid safety-nickel role. That experiment led to his early release in his third training camp, but it also highlighted one of his key strengths: tackling. That physicality—a major requirement for Lions defensive backs—has remained a hallmark of his game.
Over the last four seasons (including 2021 in Seattle), Reed has been consistently productive, starting at least 14 games per year at outside corner, logging over 880 snaps, recording at least nine pass deflections, and earning a 70.0+ PFF defensive grade each season. According to PFF, he played 156 snaps in man coverage last year (35th among all cornerbacks) and forced six incompletions—tied for 10th, alongside Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson—while allowing just 10.2 yards per reception in man coverage.
The fact that the Lions front office and defensive staff made Reed such a priority speaks volumes about how valuable they believe he’ll be in Detroit.
How does this affect the Lions?
From a locker room standpoint, Reed brings a chip-on-his-shoulder mentality that aligns perfectly with the Lions’ culture. A former Fresno State walk-on and Kansas State team captain in 2017, he adds another veteran voice to a young secondary.
On the field, Reed provides stability as a starting outside corner opposite Terrion Arnold, allowing the second-year player to develop without being thrown into the No. 1 cornerback deep end too soon (although he might be ready). His presence also means the Lions won’t have to force Amik Robertson or Ennis Rakestraw Jr. into heavier outside cornerback roles early on. With Reed in place, Detroit’s secondary gains depth and versatility, ensuring that Brian Branch can remain a flexible chess piece at safety rather than being pushed back into a full-time nickel role as well.
Locking in Reed early allows the Lions to shift their focus in free agency and the draft, addressing other pressing needs—most notably, upgrading the defensive front. With the cornerback room now solidified, they can attack the rest of the offseason without feeling desperate at the position.
Was he worth the price?
ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked D.J. Reed as the No. 1 overall free agent and the top cornerback on the market . Yet, within the first few hours of free agency, two other corners—one a former Lion with durability concerns (Davis), and the other a younger player recovering from a broken femur (Adebo)—secured larger contracts. That’s not even factoring in Jaycee Horn’s extension (four-years, $100M), which will pay him $9 million more per year than what the Lions are paying Reed.
While the $16 million average annual salary may seem like a slight overpay, and Reed’s $32 million in guarantees is the largest Brad Holmes has given an outside free agent, the deal is more than reasonable for a cornerback of Reed’s caliber. When the dust settles, Reed’s per-year salary won’t even crack the top 15 highest-paid cornerbacks. More importantly, he provides a stabilizing veteran presence in the secondary—one well worth the investment.
Final thoughts and grade
Grade: A-
Reed’s fluid hips and strong work ethic lead me to believe that he’ll transition well into the Lions defense. His addition also signals that, under new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Detroit will continue to embrace its bully ball identity against opposing skill players—one that helped the pass defense excel in key areas like opponent passer rating, on third downs, and in the red-zone last season.
With Reed in the mix, the Lions secondary should better complement their pass rush as they continue making upgrades alongside the recovering Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. This deal also offers financial flexibility, as it doesn’t lock the team into a long-term burden with bigger contract extensions hitting the books for younger core players. Additionally, it provides a valuable veteran presence while allowing last year’s top draft picks, Arnold and Rakestraw, to develop at their own pace.