Pro Football Focus believes that New York Jets’ cornerback D.J. Reed has an obvious best landing spot, and it would be with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reed, who is a free agent, said he was ready to leave and see his other options by the end of the season.
He is arguably the top free agent on the market and will require a big contract, but the Steelers will have enough money to dish out that money if they want to land Reed.
“Reed enters free agency after notching his sixth straight season with an overall grade above 70.0, accomplishing the feat across three different franchises. In 2024, he recorded a 51.28% lockdown rate, continuing a trend of standout play that defined his time in New York, where he ranked in the 91st percentile among outside cornerbacks over three seasons. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who rely heavily on their corners in closed coverages—the highest rate in the NFL this past season—would be a natural fit for Reed. Pairing him with rising star Joey Porter Jr. could solidify their secondary and enable the Steelers to maintain their aggressive defensive identity,” they wrote.
Reed is one of just a few cornerbacks on the market the Steelers could go out and get. For a team reportedly high on Cory Trice, Reed’s versatility to go inside and outside might appeal to the Steelers.
He can also play primarily in the exact schemes the Steelers play, as the Jets became a heavy Cover 3 and man coverage defense at times last year. So that all could make a lot of sense for the Steelers to go after Reed and try to land him.