Detroit Lions Make a Bold Move by Signing D.J. Reed
A Strategic Free Agency Play The Detroit Lions wasted no time making waves in free agency, executing a swift and calculated move after losing Carlton Davis to the New England Patriots. Within just 30 minutes, they secured former New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed, reportedly saving approximately $20 million in the process. The decision to bring in Reed has been widely praised, with ESPN’s Mina Kimes calling it a “home run signing” and one of her favorite moves of the offseason.
A Cornerback in High Demand Reed was among the most sought-after cornerbacks in this year’s free-agent market. His ability to play both outside and in the slot provides the Lions with much-needed versatility in the secondary. Detroit has had its eye on Reed for years, and finally landing him signals their commitment to strengthening their defensive backfield.
A Major Concern: The Penalty Issue Despite Reed’s impressive skills, there is one significant concern—his history with penalties. Over three seasons with the Jets, Reed accumulated 17 penalties, with nine of them coming in the 2023 season alone. These infractions cost the Jets a total of 147 yards, raising concerns about his discipline on the field.
Breaking Down the Penalties Reed’s penalties largely stem from his aggressive play style. In 2023, he was flagged for four defensive holding calls, four defensive pass interference infractions, and one illegal contact penalty. Defensive pass interference calls, in particular, can be game-changing due to their spot foul nature, often leading to substantial yardage gains for opposing offenses.
The Lions’ Secondary and Penalty Struggles Detroit’s defensive backs struggled with penalties last season, contributing to 34 of the team’s 107 total infractions. Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold had an early-season penalty problem but managed to clean up his game as the year progressed. Brian Branch, meanwhile, faced frequent penalties and fines, while Carlton Davis was flagged seven times.
Given this trend, integrating Reed into the secondary will require a focus on discipline and technique refinement to ensure his aggressive style doesn’t lead to excessive penalty yards.
A Worthwhile Gamble for Detroit Despite the potential penalty concerns, Reed’s signing remains an excellent move for the Lions. His scrappy, high-energy play style aligns with Detroit’s defensive identity, and if he can refine his technique to reduce penalties, he has the potential to be a game-changer in the secondary.
While flags may fly occasionally, the Lions will gladly accept the trade-off if Reed can provide the lockdown coverage and playmaking ability that they expect. Detroit has made a calculated risk, and if it pays off, their secondary could be significantly improved for the 2025 season.
