DJ Reader
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: DJ Reader #98 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders, despite leading the NFL in spending during the first week of free agency, likely aren’t done signing free agents, and Detroit Lions free agent defensive tackle DJ Reader could be next.
Las Vegas, as of March 18th, still has over $26 million in available cap space, and while some will be used on this year’s draft class, the Raiders still have the flexibility to go out and sign more players.
And according to NFL.com’s Nick Shook, the Raiders are the top fit for Reader.
Raiders Listed as Top Fit for Lions Free Agent DJ Reader
D.J. Reader has always been one of the more effective run stoppers in the NFL. With 10 years of NFL experience and racking up 328 total tackles and 12.5 sacks, the 31-year-old defensive tackle could come in and give the Raiders another solid option at DT besides Adam Butler.
With 20 total pressures in 2025 and 583 total snaps with the Detroit Lions, Reader still has some juice left in the tank and provides consistency on the field, only missing five games since 2023, and has just one season playing under 11 regular-season games since 2016 (2020 season due to a season-ending left quadriceps tendon tear during Week 5).
Here’s what Shook had to say about Las Vegas being the top fit for Reader:
“Reader remains unsigned more than a week after the free agency negotiation period began — likely a product of misaligned market value expectations — and the available jobs have dwindled. Reader could probably find a less lucrative, rotational role with teams like Detroit, Baltimore, Buffalo or Cincinnati, but if he wants to cash in (relatively speaking) with a team that has become intriguing after a busy offseason, why not head for Las Vegas? Its current projected starter alongside Adam Butler" data-link="/players/adam-butler/" data-slug="adam-butler">Adam Butler, defensive tackle Jonah Laulu" data-link="/players/jonah-laulu/" data-slug="jonah-laulu">Jonah Laulu, has just two seasons of experience and ranked 126th out of 134 interior defensive linemen in 2025, per Pro Football Focus. Toss Reader into that room as a veteran who could serve as somewhat of a stopgap and show the younger guy(s) how to become a productive pro.”
More on Reader and His Projected Contract
Reader would come in and immediately become the team’s starting nose tackle in Rob Leonard’s 3-4 base defense. Even if he’s not, adding a guy like Reader as a rotational piece up front would be huge for a Raiders’ defense that has Butler, Laulu, and Thomas Booker IV as the projected starting front three.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen also added this on Reader: “At 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, Reader can eat up blockers as a 1-technique. He would fit with any teams looking for an interior presence in base fronts.”
As far as the projected contract goes, if Shook is right and Reader gets more money in Las Vegas than he would get from a team like Detroit, Baltimore, Buffalo, or Cincinnati, he’s looking at a one-year deal worth around $7 million.
It’s a little more than what Butler is earning at $5.5M during 2026, but it could be a worthy investment. Hopefully, that projection is wrong, and Reader signs for less money than $7 million.