Over the past week, there has been a lot of talk about the Detroit Lions adding a superstar edge rusher to their defense.
It is a clear position of need this offseason and Myles Garrett's trade request has led to plenty of discussion about the Lions potentially pulling off a blockbuster deal to get that help on the edge.
However, that is far from the team's only need on defense.
They also need some help at corner despite prioritizing investment at that position last offseason.
Their answer at this position could actually come at the expense of former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who became the head coach of the New York Jets this offseason.
USA Today's Nick Brinkerhoff predicted the Lions would sign Jets cornerback D.J. Reed in an article predicting where 10 of the NFL's top free agents would end up this offseason.
In the same article, Brinkerhoff predicted the Jets would sign Lions corner Carlton Davis, which would leave a clear need at corner for the Lions.
Reed would be a pretty great fit for that need.
According to Pro Football Reference, Reed allowed opposing QBs to complete just 57.1% of passes when throwing in his direction last season. More importantly, he held those QBs to just 6.4 yards per attempt on those targets.
Meanwhile, the Lions struggled a bit in that category during the 2024 season. They allowed 7.2 yards per attempt to opposing offenses, which was 11th worst in the NFL.
The Lions will need a veteran they can lean on as their CB1 to take some pressure off of whoever emerges as their CB2 between Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Reed makes a lot of sense to be that veteran and step into the role where Davis succeeded in 2024.
