Cardinals Predicted To Boost Secondary With $48 Million Jets Free Agent Cornerback
January 17, 2025
2,475
The Arizona Cardinals are entering the 2025 offseason with a promising $72 million in projected cap space, giving them significant flexibility to strengthen their roster.
Even with the looming contract extension for tight end Trey McBride, Arizona is well-positioned to make a number of impactful moves to help accelerate their rebuild and potentially make a playoff push.
More News: Commanders vs Lions Expert Predictions for NFC Divisional Round Clash in NFL Playoffs
One of the key targets for the Cardinals is cornerback D.J. Reed of the New York Jets.
Following a 2024 season in which Arizona’s defense ranked a dismal 28th in EPA per play, 31st in success rate, and 17th in overall coverage grade, the team will need to prioritize upgrading their defensive backfield.
While Garrett Williams showed promise last season with an 83.7 PFF coverage grade, the Cardinals still need more help at cornerback, particularly on the perimeter.
Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to leap over Ji’Ayir Brown #27 and Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium… Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to leap over Ji’Ayir Brown #27 and Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 47-24.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Reed, who is set to hit free agency, is viewed as an ideal candidate to bolster the secondary.
Despite a slight decline in 2024, where he posted a 70.1 PFF coverage grade, Reed has been a steady performer over the last few years. Since joining the Jets in 2022, he has ranked 15th among cornerbacks in PFF’s overall grade (80.1) and 8th in coverage grade (84.4).
With substantial cap room available, the Cardinals could look to secure Reed as a long-term solution to anchor their defensive backfield.
That said, not everyone is sold on the idea of adding another cornerback, especially considering the current investments Arizona has already made in the position.
Williams is a promising young player, and the team signed Sean Murphy-Bunting to a three-year deal last offseason. Max Melton, a second-round draft pick, also shows potential but is still developing.
Given this, the Cardinals may decide it’s not worth sinking significant resources into another cornerback, particularly when the team’s pass-rushing woes are more pressing.
While shoring up the secondary is important, Arizona’s priority should arguably be to address their lackluster pass rush.
The team’s cap space offers enough flexibility to target either a top-tier cornerback or a premium edge rusher, but a playmaking pass rusher could offer a more immediate impact, given the Cardinals’ struggles in getting after the quarterback.
Reed’s steady performance makes him an ideal target. Newsweek Sports predicts Reed’s contract to be a three-year, $48 million deal. He would be paid $16 million per season, and be in the top 15 highest-paid at the position.
“I’m ready for free agency, bro. I’m ready to see what’s next for me,” Reed has openly stated.
Reflecting on his expectations heading into the season, Reed admitted he had big hopes for both himself and the team.
“I thought I’d have 10 picks this year,” he said. “We were supposed to be elite. I figured we’d be ahead late in games, and teams would have to throw the ball—then I’d be there to make plays on it.”
D.J. Reed’s path to free agency started with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Reed quickly became a key contributor, even reaching Super Bowl LIV in his second season, though the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
After dealing with injury setbacks, Reed was waived by San Francisco in 2020 and claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks.
In Seattle, Reed stepped into the starting lineup after an injury to Quinton Dunbar, and his strong play earned him a permanent starting role. He recorded multiple interceptions in his first season with the Seahawks, further proving his ability as a reliable and physical cornerback.
His combination of consistency, experience, and strong coverage ability makes him an enticing option for the Cardinals as they look to rebuild their defense. While upgrading their secondary is crucial, Reed could be a key piece to help elevate Arizona’s defensive unit to the next level.
More News:
Falcons Free Agency Ideas Sees Team Boost Pass Rush With $12 Million Linebacker
Jets’ Aaron Rodgers Offers Important Update on Retirement Plans
Um die besten Erfahrungen zu bieten, verwenden wir Technologien wie Cookies, um Geräteinformationen zu speichern und/oder darauf zuzugreifen. Wenn Sie diesen Technologien zustimmen, können wir Daten wie das Surfverhalten oder eindeutige IDs auf dieser Website verarbeiten. Die Nichteinwilligung oder der Widerruf der Einwilligung kann bestimmte Merkmale und Funktionen beeinträchtigen.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
