Seven-year veteran cornerback D.J. Reed was one of the few bright spot on the 2024 New York Jets, but the impending free agent could leave for greener pastures in the coming months. A fifth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Reed overcame his humble beginnings to establish himself as one of the league’s better cornerbacks. While he’s never made it to a Pro Bowl, he’s been a reliable CB2 since joining the New York Jets in 2022. Entering the season with Super Bowl aspirations, he and Sauce Gardner were supposed to highlight a secondary that would support a now-healthy Aaron Rodgers.
Instead, the team crashed and burned as the defense underperformed without former head coach Robert Saleh. Depending on who the Jets hire, the team could part ways with Rodgers, embrace another rebuild, and have no real use for a 28-year-old cornerback who is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. If this happens, Reed shouldn’t struggle to find work and should land with an organization like the Carolina Panthers or Baltimore Ravens.
Panthers, Ravens Could Sign D.J. Reed If He Leaves the Jets
The Carolina Panthers aren’t top Super Bowl contenders by any stretch of the imagination, but the team could surprise in 2025. 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young played up to his draft capital down the stretch, and he has the environment to replicate that success in the coming season. The offensive line is great, the weapons are promising, and head coach Dave Canales isn’t going anywhere. With the offense in place, Carolina must turn to the defensive side of the ball.
The Panthers defense ranked at or near the bottom of just about every metric last season, and now is the time to fix that. Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn will return for at least one more season, but this team could use additional reinforcements. D.J. Reed was a reliable starter with the Jets, and pairing him with Horn and potentially Mike Jackson could give Carolina three starting-caliber cornerbacks. Adding another edge defender to complement this secondary could give the Panthers the defensive strength needed to win a weak NFC South.
More Help in Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best rosters in football but cannot make it over the hump in the playoffs. For whatever reason, John Harbaugh’s squad reguarly shoots itself in the foot once the postseason rolls around, and last week’s season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills was no different. While it’s too late to fix the previous season, Baltimore has additional time to fortify the roster and fix any weaknesses for next season.
Baltimore’s secondary started out slow but came alive late in the season. Marlon Humphrey remains a reliable veteran and first-round pick Nate Wiggins finished the year on a high note. However, the team probably won’t bring back cornerback Tre’Davious White, which means they could use another boundary cornerback. D.J. Reed is the better player at this point in his career, and the Ravens should be interested in what the Jets defensive back can bring to this secondary. When Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes stand between you and a Super Bowl appearance, you need as many good cornerbacks as you can get.
Main Photo: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
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