The Lions are signing former Jets starter D.J. Reed to a 3-year contract. Here’s what Reed brings to Detroit.

The Detroit Lions have themselves a new projected starting cornerback in D.J. Reed. The veteran CB has agreed to terms with the Lions in free agency on a three-year, $48 million deal that won’t be official until Wednesday.

Reed effectively serves as the Lions replacement for Carlton Davis, who is joining the New England Patriots on a three-year deal worth $20 million per year. The 28-year-old Reed comes to Detroit after three seasons as a starter with the New York Jets after also playing for the 49ers and Seahawks.

What the Lions are getting in D.J. Reed

Not to be confused with Lions DT DJ Reader, Reed is a 5-foot-9 outside cornerback with an excellent fight/size of dog ratio. He came to the NFL from Kansas State as a fifth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the 49ers. He was a part-time player in his first two seasons, deploying all over the secondary but primarily in the slot or at strongside high safety.

Reed got waived at the 53-man roster cutdown in 2020 and was instantly snatched up by the Seahawks. It proved to be a great fit for both parties. Playing much more man coverage than the zone scheme he did in San Francisco, Reed worked his way into being the Seahawks’ No. 3 corner. He played more outside than in the slot in that more matchup-based defense. His breakout campaign came in 2021 while playing almost exclusively on the outside in Seattle. Reed’s physical, in-your-face playing style held receivers to just a 51 percent completion rate, picking off two passes and breaking up 10 others.

Even going back to his Kansas State days, Reed’s prideful run defense has been an asset. He’s both a hitter and a tackler, able to wrap and drop after laying a lick. Reed is feisty at getting off blocks and sticking his nose into the fray. He will occasionally fall off a tackle against ta bigger back or receiver after the catch, but that’s true of most CBs.

In coverage, Reed is adept at sticking on the hip of the outside receiver and controlling the release. This rep against Vikings star Justin Jefferson is a good example of how effectively Reed can steer bigger receivers. He’s in phase the whole way. That’s pretty typical for Reed.

He does get grabby as a way to mitigate his lack of length or to control the receiver when he loses a step on the break. Reed was guilty of 11 penalties (2 were declined) in 2024, the same amount as Lions rookie Terrion Arnold. They are stylistically similar in that regard, though Reed tends to get called for it more in the red zone. Reed has been better at avoiding penalties earlier in his career; he was flagged just eight times from 2020-2022.

Early in his NFL time, Reed had some limited run as a punt and kick returner. He has not played much on special teams since leaving San Francisco, however. Reed also blitzed more when he was younger, but rarely rushed the passer (10 times in three years) with the Jets. The Lions have been more aggressive in blitzing from the slot than outside, so it’s unlikely to see Reed doing much more of that.

Overall, Reed makes for a strong schematic fit in Detroit. He’s had a relatively clean bill of health over the years, too. Based on the contract, Reed will be expected to start in the role Carlton Davis played last season and Cam Sutton did in 2023.