After bypassing a dire need at cornerback last year, the Jets are diving in early. They are signing D.J. Reed, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Reed will come over from the Seahawks — on a three-year deal worth $33MM (including $21MM guaranteed, per Jordan Schultz on Twitter) — but has experience with Robert Saleh. The 49ers drafted Reed in the 2018 fifth round. He played two seasons in San Francisco, providing some system intel as he rejoins Saleh in New York.
A torn pectoral muscle sustained in early August 2020 led Reed from the Bay Area to the Pacific Northwest. The 49ers waived Reed with an injury designation, and the Seahawks claimed him. Reed elevated his profile in Seattle, starting 22 games over the past two seasons in a similar defensive system to the one Saleh deployed with the 49ers. The 5-foot-9 corner intercepted four passes during his Seahawks stay and allowed a career-low 67.8 passer rating when targeted last season.
The Seahawks hoped to re-sign Reed, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets, but did not want to go to the $11MM-per-year level to do so. Gang Green also had Darious Williams and Donte Jackson on its radar, but Rich Cimini of ESPN.com adds Stephon Gilmore was not (Twitter link).
As of now, Reed stands to step in as the Jets’ No. 1 cornerback. They used Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols as their primary starters last season, one in which Saleh’s defense ranked 32nd in both points and yards allowed.
Love it. One of the very worst cornerback and overall secondary groups in football. Young, productive, and fits what Saleh does. Would still love to see them add a true number one to the CB group (like drafting Gardner) and/or add a real difference making safety (like drafting Hamilton or waiting to the second and grabbing a Cine, Hill, or Brisker if they fall), but this is a nice step.
I don’t know a lot about him, but I’m not sure if his ability is near that of the two that signed elsewhere yesterday. The Jets have a few recent fifth round picks at CB that have potential but he must have proven his to earn that contract. I gather they’re less likely to use their top pick on Stingley now. Edge is more likely.
I doubt this would stop them from taking one of the top CBs in the first round. No one they have has nearly the physical traits of Gardner or Stingley (or Booth, for that matter). It’s hard to know what will happen with Stingley, especially before his pro day, because some teams will probably have him way down their boards because of the time he was out or not in top form.
Another starter added. JD is working his plan!
Gives them draft flexibility
As a Seahawk fan this one hurts. Jets got a good CB.
Not taking a corner , hall played decent first full season on number 1 wr Echols def got better as the season went on. Guidry sucked but that’s a 4 and their slot corner was good . Need a safety edge rusher linebacker or number 1 wr