After an impressive 2024 NFL regular season, the Detroit Lions were knocked out in their first playoff matchup against the Washington Commanders. It was a brutal loss for a franchise that was expected to have a good shot at a Super Bowl run.
Heading into the offseason, it is clear that the Lions have more work to do in order to win a Super Bowl.
Where could Detroit look to improve? One key area would be the defensive secondary.
While the Detroit Lions have a lot of defensive talent, they could use another cover cornerback. One intriguing name has been suggested as a potential fit for the team.
Detroit Lions Could Poach Major Impact Player from New York Jets
Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team has named the Lions as the best team fit in free agency for New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed.
“While he didn’t have any interceptions last season, he held quarterbacks to a 58.3 completion rate when targeting him in 2024. In fact, he hadn’t allowed a completion percentage higher than 61.4 over the last four seasons,” Brooke wrote.
“Reed has real No. 1 lockdown potential, which makes him an ideal replacement for the Detroit Lions, who are losing Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey to free agency. They have the cap space to swing on a free agent somewhere, and Reed could be a great pairing with rookie Terrion Arnold for a one-two punch at the position.”
Throughout the course of the 2024 NFL season with the Jets, Reed played in 14 games. He racked up 64 total tackles to go along with a sack and 11 defended passes.
At 28 years old, a change of scenery could be good for Reed. He’s an elite talent who was stuck in a bad position with a team that completely underwhelmed.
Returning to New York could be more interesting now that Aaron Glenn has been hired as the team’s new head coach, but the Detroit Lions would also be an extremely interesting option for him.
Expect to hear a lot of rumors surrounding the Lions this offseason. They will look to be aggressive in their pursuit of a championship. Don’t be surprised if they show interest in Reed.
