The Detroit Lions didn't have to wait long to get their answer on Carlton Davis, as the veteran corner signed a three-year contract with the New England Patriots. Brad Holmes already had a replacement lined up in former New York Jets starter DJ Reed.
With the Jets looking to downsize and retool after hiring former Lions DC Aaron Glenn to oversee the rebuild, Reed was not viewed as a player they could retain if they wanted to extend some of their young stars. Reed is eyeing a championship, and the veteran could get his best shot at a ring with the Lions.
Reed will sign a three-year, $48 million contract with $32 million in guaranteed money. Reed, who has spent most of his career as a No. 2 cornerback with New York, Seattle, and San Francisco, will get the chance to be the top dog in an ascending Lions secondary.
Detroit Lions will sign DJ Reed to three-year contract to replace Carlton Davis
Reed has earned a PFF grade of at least 70.0 in six consecutive seasons, including all three of his years with the Jets. He and All-Pro Sauce Gardner formed one of the best cornerback tandems in the league, and he will be looking to bring that same edge over to Detroit.
Reed has spent most of his career as a high-end No. 2 cornerback. Time will tell if he fills that role alongside a more high-end addition Detroit brings into the fold or if they will ask Reed to be the No. 1 option. Still just 28 years old, Reed has plenty of gas left in the tank.
In much the same way he helped mentor All-Pro Sauce Gardner in New York, Reed could serve as an ideal veteran sage that youngsters Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw could learn from. If both of them hit their stride, Reed could be the glue that holds this new secondary together.
Reed may not have made it to the postseason with the Jets, but he was consistently a solid corner with great zone coverage skills. His abilities could be put to more meaningful use on a playoff-bound Lions team.