D.J. Reed is a starting cornerback for the Detroit Lions who signed a sizable free-agent deal in 2025.
D.J. Reed Jr. reached the NFL by way of junior college and Kansas State, where he was a productive cornerback and return man. After establishing himself with the 49ers, Seahawks and Jets, he cashed in with the Lions in 2025. He stepped in as a starting boundary corner in Detroit.
Path to the league
Reed played at Cerritos College before transferring to Kansas State, where as a redshirt sophomore in 2016 he totaled 75 tackles, 19 pass breakups and three interceptions while also returning kicks. He entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick in 2018 and grew into a reliable starter over stops in San Francisco, Seattle and with the New York Jets.
2025 season
The Lions signed Reed to a three-year, $48 million contract on March 10, 2025. He recorded 46 total tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 11 games. A hamstring injury cost him six games in October and November, limiting his season totals.
Sources
- Wikipedia: D. J. Reed
- ESPN: D.J. Reed player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
11 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | lions | 11 | 46 | 37 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 2024 | jets | 14 | 64 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2023 | jets | 15 | 76 | 62 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| 2022 | jets | 17 | 80 | 63 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| 2021 | seahawks | 14 | 78 | 62 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| 2020 | seahawks | 10 | 62 | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2019 | 49ers | 16 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | 49ers | 15 | 41 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Kansas State
- Hometown
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
- Age
- 29
- Status
- active
