The Detroit Lions saw a magnificent season crumble amid injury issues, particularly in the secondary, which Washington Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels diced up to the tune of 45 points in the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs.
In an effort to make certain that doesn't happen again, Detroit spent meaningful, but smart, money to add cornerback D.J. Reed to the fold. Formerly of the New York Jets, Reed signed a three-year contract worth $48 million total to join the Lions.
Seth Walder of ESPN lauded the team's move as literally the single best of free agency to this point, not just because of the player Detroit brought in or the weakness he erases, but because of the value of his contract compared to other top free agents at the position.
"[Reed] has been consistently good at a volatile position, allowing less than 1.1 yards per coverage snap (the average for an outside corner) in four consecutive seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats," Walder wrote . "I also think he was the best corner in this free agency class, making him an upgrade over Carlton Davis III. The Patriots are now paying Davis $20 million per year, while the Lions are paying Reed only $16 million. So not only did the Lions get a great player to fill a crucial need, but they did it for a good value."
Reed is a seven-year veteran of the NFL who will turn 29 years old in November.
