New NY Jets CB D.J. Reed is confident he can be CB1

The NY Jets signed former Seattle Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed in free agency, and Reed has already set some lofty goals for the 2022 season.

On Tuesday, Reed agreed to a three-year, $33 million dollar deal with the Jets, quickly flying out of Seattle when he realized Pete Carroll and the Seahawks didn't value him.

He reportedly felt "disrespected" by the offer Seattle gave him and hopes not only to serve as a starting-caliber corner on the Jets, but as the top corner on the team.

The 25-year-old joins New York after two years in Seattle and is coming off a breakout season in 2021. Reed started 14 games and recorded 78 combined tackles, 10 passes defended, and two interceptions, earning an 85.8 PFF grade for his run defense and a 78.6 grade overall.

His production impressed last year, but Reed will still have to prove he can consistently compete at a high level. In Reed's mind, though, he's already the CB1 on the team, and he's definitely excelling in the confidence department.

NY Jets' free agent signing D.J. Reed has his sights set on the moon in 2022

Given how little he's accomplished in the league so far, Reed's ego might be just a tad inflated. He even told reporters that he was God's "masterpiece" and that "God blessed me with certain traits I have that translate great to football."

That confidence should serve him well in the long run, however. Especially at the cornerback position.

Reed along with free-agent addition Jordan Whitehead were two of the Jets' most impressive defensive signings this offseason, and the two of them should provide a much-needed boost to the team's secondary in 2022.

The Jets ranked 30th in the league in pass defense in 2021, and their secondary ranked as one of their biggest areas of need heading into the offseason.

Reed joins a developing cornerback unit that includes Bryce Hall, Michael Carter II, and Brandin Echols — and he already possesses the confidence of all them combined, probably.

New York will likely play him in his natural right cornerback spot, and with his familiarity in Robert Saleh's defensive system hailing back to his San Francisco days, Reed has no room for excuses.

D.J. Reed can talk that talk all he wants, but he'll have to prove his talents on the field in 2022. Equally young and promising players who failed in New York litter the path before him, and everyone knows one good season does not a CB1 make.

That said, confidence can carry a player far in the NFL. It's always better to have too much than not enough.