Lions sign D.J. Reed: Grading Detroit's $48 million new cornerback
Lions sign D.J. Reed: Grading Detroit's $48 million new cornerback
Carlton Davis had arguably his best season in coverage in 2024, but that proved to be his lone year as a Detroit Lion. Fortunately, Detroit moved quickly to grab another veteran boundary cornerback in free agency.
Less than 30 minutes after Davis signed with the New England Patriots, the Lions came to terms with former New York Jet corner D.J. Reed. At three years and $48 million, he'll make $4 million less in annual average salary than Davis, providing a little financial relief for a team with a roster led by a high-priced quarterback and defensive studs (Brian Branch, Aidan Hutchinson) careening toward expensive extensions.
Reed can be an upgrade from Davis. While his 2024 was a mess in all the ways most sloppy Jets seasons are, he still allowed just an 80.4 passer rating when targeted. Opposing wideouts have caught less than 59 percent of targets thrown his way in three of the last four seasons. He doesn't turn 29 until November, which suggests he should be able to play out the two big money years on his partially guaranteed contract at a similar level.
Now he'll be the veteran leader atop a depth chart that features 2024 draft picks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. Detroit's -0.12 expected points added (EPA) per pass play allowed gave it the league's fourth-best passing defense, per NFL Pro. Swapping Davis for Reed at a reasonable cost ensures that unit can be just as disruptive in 2025 as it was last fall.
Grade: A-
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Carpenter hits 3 homers as Tigers reach 40 wins by pounding White Sox
Kerry Carpenter hit a career-high three homers and drove in five runs to help the Detroit Tigers pound the lowly Chicago White Sox 13-1 on Monday night. Dillon Dingler and Wenceel Pérez also went deep as Detroit became the first major league team to reach 40 wins this season. Parker Meadows had two hits and scored three times in his season debut after being sidelined by an arm injury. Jack Flaherty (4-6) pitched six innings of one-run ball in his second straight win. The right-hander allowed four hits, struck out four and walked one. The Tigers improved to 22-9 in their last 31 games. It was their 11th consecutive win at the White Sox dating to Sept. 1, 2023, matching a franchise record for the longest such streak in an opponent's ballpark. Chicago finished with five hits in its seventh loss in eight games. Chase Meidroth singled and scored on Vinny Capra's groundout in the sixth, accounting for the team's only run. Carpenter hit a two-run drive in Detroit's three-run first against Jonathan Cannon (2-7). He connected for another two-run shot in the fourth and a solo drive in the sixth for his 13th homer on the season. He batted again with two runners on in the eighth. Amid chants of "Kerry! Kerry!" by the Tigers fans in a crowd of 11,852, he flied out to center. Detroit also had a big night in the field. Meadows robbed Andrew Benintendi of a run-scoring hit with a diving catch in center for the last out of the first. Riley Greene hustled over for a terrific sliding grab on Meidroth's drive near the line in left in the third. But catcher Dingler and third baseman Zach McKinstry combined for what might have been the team's best defensive play in the fifth. Dingler slid as he went after Joshua Palacios' foul popup and the ball went off his glove to McKinstry for the out. Key moment Pérez's two-run homer in the second lifted the Tigers to a 5-0 lead. Key stat Carpenter became the first player to hit three homers for Detroit since Victor Martinez on June 16, 2016, at Kansas City. Up next Detroit is going with a bullpen day on Tuesday. Rookie right-hander Shane Smith (1-3, 2.68 ERA) starts for Chicago.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
WWE Announces Huge Match for 'Monday Night Raw' Ahead of MITB 2025
WWE Announces Huge Match for 'Monday Night Raw' Ahead of MITB 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A big match has been added to "WWE Raw" on Monday. The red brand will emanate from the BOK Center in Tulsa. Featured on the show will be a women's MITB qualifying match between Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer, and Ivy Nile. That isn't the only major match scheduled for "Monday Night Raw." Advertisement "Raw's" general manager Adam Pearce hopped on social media to announce that WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso will team with Sami Zayn to take on Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The match was announced amid Zayn's current rivalry with the Paul Heyman-led faction of Seth Rollins, Breakker, and Reed. This will be Reed's first match since "Survivor Series 2024." Reed broke his talus bone during the match after diving off the top of a pod for the Tsunami splash. At the conclusion of last week's episode of "WWE Raw," Rollins qualified for the men's MITB match. After the match, Rollins, Breakker, and Reed tried attacking Uso and Zayn, but CM Punk laid Rollins out with a GTS to close the show. Punk will be involved in a men's MITB ladder match, so Rollins' faction might be quite busy on Monday. Advertisement Uso also has other business to handle, as he prepares for a marquee tag team match at "Money in the Bank 2025." He will team with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes to take on Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena and Logan Paul on Saturday. Many wonder if Uso will crack under the pressure of being a world champion, which he addressed during last week's episode of "WWE Raw." Related: Another Popular WWE Veteran Expected to Leave Company This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Lions Urged to Consider Major Late Offseason Move
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Last season, the Detroit Lions were the best team in the NFL. Heading into the playoffs, many thought that a Super Bowl run would be in store. Unfortunately, in their first matchup in the divisional round, the Lions were defeated by Jayden Daniels and the red-hot Washington Commanders. That ended what had otherwise been an amazing season. Heading into the 2025 campaign, Detroit is looking to finish what it started last year. In order to do that, the Lions will need to have as much talent as possible on both sides of the football. Adding more depth would be wise as well after all of the injuries the team dealt with in 2024. Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions celebrates after his team's touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions celebrates after his team's touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo byOne area Detroit could still consider improving happens to be the pass rushing group. Aidan Hutchinson will be back on the field, but bringing in more depth off the edge is still a need. Read more: Lions Coach's Latest Aidan Hutchinson Quote Will Excite Detroit Fans To that end, the Lions have been urged to consider and named the best fit to land a very familiar face. USA Today analyst Tyler Dragon has connected Detroit to Za'Darius Smith. Of course, Smith finished the 2024 season with the team and played well after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns before the trade deadline. "Smith is at his best when he plays opposite a standout pass rusher at this stage of his career," Dragon wrote. "A sign that points right back to where he played last year in Detroit. Lions star edge Aidan Hutchinson was cleared to return for football activities in late May." Following his trade to the Lions, Smith played in eight games. He racked up 12 total tackles to go along with four sacks and a defended pass. In the previous nine games with the Browns, he totaled 23 tackles and five sacks. Read more: Vikings Reportedly Concerned With JJ McCarthy At 32 years old, Smith is still more than capable of being a high-level pass rusher. Depending on the price tag, Detroit should seriously consider bringing him back. Having too much depth is never a thing for a Super Bowl contender. Smith is about as good as pass rushing depth can get. While the Lions may not have interest in reuniting with Smith, he fits well with the Dan Campbell mindset. His career is also winding down, which would make returning to Detroit and competing for a championship a likely route he'd be interest in taking. For more Detroit Lions and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
