After watching their defense disappear late in the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions made some big changes to fix the problem in 2025. Part of those changes were forced as Kelvin Sheppard took over for the departed Aaron Glenn at defensive coordinator and the Lions used what resources they had to create the depth they didn’t have when 12 players wound up on season-ending injured reserve at the end of last year.
But another big decision was to bring in D.J. Reed. A shutdown cornerback during his time with the New York Jets, Reed was brought in during free agency to replace Carlton Davis III, and Sheppard’s comments about his newest defensive back could mean the three-year, $48 million pact is already paying off ahead of a Week 1 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
#Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard with high praise for new CB D.J. Reed. Says he could have easily been a captain, had two incumbents not returned.
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) September 4, 2025
"He's meant everything to our defense."
D.J. Reed’s Leadership Is Already Rubbing Off on Lions
According to the Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi, Sheppard gave high praise for Reed, going as far as to say he could have been a captain if two of the incumbents hadn’t returned. In addition, Sheppard heaped praise on Reed, saying, “He’s meant everything to our defense.”
The addition of Reed can not be understated. According to Pro Football Focus, Reed ranked 32nd out of 128 qualifying corners with a 70.1 coverage grade last season. He also allowed 35 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns with seven pass breakups on 60 targets in his final year with the Jets.
While he also ranked third among corners with 11 penalties (two declined), the 28-year-old brings plenty of leadership, which has helped fuel the hype train for second-year teammate Terrion Arnold.
“I think it’s a mix of the development and growth that [Lions secondary coach Deshea Townsend] worked with him on, but the addition of D.J. Reed has added a level of maturity to that room, but also a level of detail that I’m not going to say has been missing, it’s just, the standard is set now,” Sheppard said earlier this week. “DJ sets the standard for the way our corners operate, and if you fall short, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb.”
In a division that has Justin Jefferson, D.J. Moore, and Jayden Reed, the Lions will need Reed to live up to his billing. So far, he’s been able to, and it could help Detroit get to where it wants to go this season.