NFL Analysis
2/13/25
6 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: 5 Best Fits For New York Jets CB D.J. Reed
After a few strong seasons with the New York Jets, cornerback D.J. Reed looks like the best cornerback available on the free agent market.
While he hasn't earned any league-wide accolades, Reed has had a strong first seven seasons in the NFL. He has six interceptions and 50 pass breakups in 101 games and has allowed a passer rating of just 83.0 during that span.
The 33rd Team's Dan Pizzuta has Reed as the fifth-best free agent on the market. He isn't the biggest corner at 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, but he's held his own throughout his career and could be the perfect CB2 for a team needing help at corner with another starting corner already on the roster.
Let's take a look at some of the best landing spots for Reed, both financially and from a team-fit standpoint.
D.J. Reed landing spots
New York Jets 
It's a new era for the New York Jets, and that could make it awfully enticing for Reed to come back to the franchise.
Perhaps the top selling point for Reed to go back to the Jets is the hiring of Aaron Glenn as their new head coach. Not only was he a phenomenal defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions during the last few seasons, but he's also a former three-time Pro Bowler at cornerback with 41 career interceptions.
That kind of coach should be a dream for any veteran cornerback to play for. On top of that, Reed would also be able to continue playing with Sauce Gardner and keep making the push to be the NFL's best cornerback duo.
The Jets only have about $20 million in cap space right now, but that cap situation could drastically change based on what they decide to do in the coming weeks.
Arizona Cardinals
Garrett Williams has been a very solid slot corner for the Cardinals, but they're in major need of some competition at cornerback.
Despite a lack of top-tier talent at most spots, the Cardinals' defense was surprisingly solid, ranking 14th by defensive DVOA in 2024. Rookie Max Melton showed some promise in his first year in the league, and while fellow cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting has been solid, he could be a cap casualty after the 2025 season as a cap-savings measure.
Reed would be an upgrade over either of Arizona's current starting cornerbacks. They also have $71 million in cap space to work with, so finding some productive and reliable veterans to bolster the defensive side of the ball should be a top priority for their front office.
Green Bay Packers
It's unclear what the Packers plan to do with Jaire Alexander this offseason. The star cornerback has struggled to stay healthy the last few seasons, and the team could save at least $6.8 million by cutting him.
However, the Packers have a serious lack of depth at cornerback, with Keisean Nixon being forced out of the slot and onto the outside in 2024 while Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine battled for playing time. Valentine brings some long-term potential to the table, but none of those options looked like starting-caliber corners this past season.
Regardless of Alexander's future, the Packers need to add depth and talent to bolster their secondary. Reed is an ideal fit, not just because of his coverage ability, but his willingness as a tackler, making him the ideal cornerback for Jeff Hafley's aggressive scheme.
The Packers have $42 million in cap space before any other cap-saving moves, so they could afford to take a swing on a player like Reed.
Minnesota Vikings
There probably isn't another team having to deal with more decisions at cornerback this offseason than Minnesota.
Four of the team's top outside cornerbacks, Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau, are all set to hit the open market. Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern are the only two outside cornerbacks currently on the roster.
The good news for the Vikings is that they have $58 million in cap space and will likely bring back at least one of those corners, presumably Murphy. However, even if they do bring him back, there's still a major lack of depth outside of him at the position.
That's where another veteran, or an early draft pick, could come into play. Some of the cap space could be used to bring back Sam Darnold at quarterback, but if the Vikings want to focus on adding talent elsewhere and riding with JJ McCarthy, then signing another starting-caliber corner like Reed would be a wise move.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have cash to spend, and they need to improve their defense.
With 11 unrestricted free agents on that side of the ball, the Raiders defense could look significantly different in 2025. Although it's unlikely, there are also trade rumors constantly swirling around their biggest star on that side of the ball in Maxx Crosby, who could want to go play for a contender instead of staying for another rebuild.
With over $92 million in cap space, the Raiders will need to find as many starting-caliber free agents as possible for reasonable prices. Reed may be the top cornerback on the free agent market, but it's unlikely that he'll be demanding top-of-market money at the position when talking to teams.
Reed could be a cost-effective starter for the Raiders while reuniting with his old head coach in Pete Carroll, with the two having worked together for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020 and 2021, which were two of his best seasons as a pro.
