Jerry Jones
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Will Cowboys GM Jerry Jones make a push to sign D.J. Reader?
The Dallas Cowboys have made some notable moves early on this offseason. A few players who the Cowboys have added to their roster so far include Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant. However, with the offseason still being so young, there is no question that the Cowboys should have more moves on the way.
Given how poorly this past season went for the Cowboys, they absolutely need to continue to upgrade their roster. Their defense, in particular, still needs further improvement, so it would not be shocking in the slightest if they make more signings.
Cowboys president and general manager Jerry Jones also recently called out the team’s poor defense from last season. With this, there is no question that he should be continuing to aim to improve it this offseason.
Due to this, the Cowboys are now being urged to target an interesting veteran defensive tackle in free agency.
Cowboys Urged to Make a Move for Free Agent Defensive Tackle D.J. Reader
In a recent article for CBS Sports, Garrett Podell discussed five affordable free agents who the Cowboys should consider making a push for this offseason. Among the players who Podell urged Dallas to target is veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
“The Cowboys now have a sudden need for depth at defensive tackle behind All-Pro Quinnen Williams and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark after trading away both Odighizuwa and Thomas. Reader is a steady veteran who started all 17 games for the Lions last season. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, he could certainly fit on the interior of Parker’s reworked Dallas defensive line,” Podell wrote.
With the Cowboys’ defense needing a boost, it would make sense for them to make a push for a player like Reader. He would provide them with another solid veteran, as he has 10 years of NFL experience.
Reader spent this past season with the Detroit Lions, where he had 28 combined tackles. This was after he had 3.0 sacks and 23 combined tackles in 15 games for the Lions during the 2024 season. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to be a solid depth addition to the Cowboys’ roster.
In 137 career NFL games split between the Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Lions, Reader has recorded 12.5 sacks and 328 combined tackles.
Cowboys Could Have Some Competition for Reader in Free Agency
If the Cowboys end up pursuing Reader, it is likely that they would not be the only team in the mix. With Reader having plenty of experience and still being a solid contributor at this stage in his career, there should be multiple clubs interested in signing him. This is especially so as more of this year’s top free agents continue to come off the board.
Yet, with the Cowboys in need of more depth at the defensive tackle position, it would make sense for them to bring in a solid veteran like Reader to their roster. It will be interesting to see if they end up being the team that lands him, but there could be a good fit here.