PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Detroit Lions knew they weren't going to be major players in free agency with the priority to re-sign some of their own players and paying close attention to the salary cap with some past and current extensions about to hit the cap.
But Detroit did have the plan to enter the cornerback market in free agency after losing Carlton Davis III to the Patriots and were ecstatic to get veteran D.J. Reed on a three-year deal.
"Reed, he's got cover ability, he can play man-to-man, start there," head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday at the Annual League Meetings. "He'll come up, he'll tackle, he'll squeeze the edges, and when you see him in press (coverage), he challenges. He's not giving you free releases. He'll mix it up and he'll challenge you at the catch point. He's feisty and competitive."
Campbell said his favorite crossover tape he watched of Reed last year was one of the rare plays where he got beat off the line of scrimmage. Campbell said he watched Reed put his foot in the ground and go all out to recover. He angled the receiver off and it was an impressive play. Campbell likes the fact that Reed just tries to compete and win, and that makes him a perfect fit for the Lions.
"He's got the attributes," Campbell said. "He's got the skill level. But man, he's feisty and competitive and he doesn't get down."
Campbell said the same thing about Roy Lopez, the veteran defensive tackle Detroit signed from Arizona in the first couple days of free agency.
"Lopez is down and dirty," Campbell said. "Doesn't mean he can't play on third down but he lives in base (defense) a lot. He's taking on the double teams and keeping people off the linebackers. He can get an edge on you and he'll just do it time in and time out, over and over."
One of the things that impressed Campbell the most about Lopez was when the Lions played the Cardinals Week 3 last season. Detroit rushed for 187 yards and won the game, but how Lopez matched up with Lions Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow was impressive.
"That guy held his own now," he said. "And we have a pretty damn good center. That was impressive, among others."
Detroit also signed linebacker Grant Stuard early in free agency. Stuard is one of the better special teams players in the league, and he can provide some playmaking and depth on defense too.
"Stuard can do it all, man," Campbell said. "He's a guy that's been counted out but just continues to make plays in this league. He's a dynamic special teams player in my opinion and he can play defense. He played defense against us (last year)."
More than anything, Campbell said it's the way all three play the game that really caught Detroit's eye. All three are competitive, productive players who don't back down from anyone and all three are expected to play important roles for the Lions in 2025.
