D.J. Reader
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CBS Sports's Zachary Pereles called free agent defensive lineman D.J. Reader a free agent fit for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings will be counting on even more from Jalen Redmond after his strong 2025 NFL season. But that doesn’t mean defensive tackle isn’t still a significant need for Minnesota. It’s a need that multiple analysts see the Vikings potentially addressing with former Detroit Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
This week, CBS Sports’s Jordan Pereles became the latest analyst to identify Reader as a fit for the Vikings this offseason.
“Amid a cap crunch, the Vikings released both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, neither of whom produced as hoped in 2025,” Pereles wrote on Monday. “Minnesota needs to backfill this position, even after Jalen Redmond’s breakout year.
“Reader has been a dependable interior presence even after passing his prime.”
Reader is coming off a pair of seasons in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions. From 2024-25, the defensive tackle posted 51 combined tackles with four tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits and three sacks in 32 games.
The veteran defensive tackle could help the Vikings replace Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen this offseason. Minnesota cut both to save salary cap space this offseason.
Could the Vikings Target Ex-Lions DT D.J. Reader in NFL Free Agency?
The Lions potentially targeting Reader is a growing narrative in NFL circles. On Saturday, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox proposed the same idea.
Reader named the Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys the best two fits for Reader in 2026 free agency.
“Despite playing through a back injury this past season, Reader started all 17 games for the Lions and recorded 28 tackles. He has appeared in at least 14 games in each of the past three seasons,” wrote Knox.
“The Minnesota Vikings should also take a long look at their former division rival. Minnesota released defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in cap-saving moves earlier this offseason.”
Reader isn’t the same dominating force he once was. In July, he will turn 32 years old.
With the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021, Reader registered 43 combined tackles with seven quarterback hits and two sacks. Two years prior, he had 52 combined tackles, 13 quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks while playing for the Houston Texans.
But Reader continues to be an above average defender. He scored a 68.9 Pro Football Focus player grade during the 2025 campaign. Reader performed best in the pass rush category.
At PFF, his run defense grades weren’t stellar in Detroit. But traditionally, Reader is a better run stopper than pass rusher.
The Vikings could consider adding Reader to help their interior defensive line depth for early downs next season.
Vikings DT Depth Entering 2026
Minnesota didn’t have a lot of choices with certain releases this offseason. The Vikings were in a bad salary cap situation, which resulted in players such as Hargrave and Allen departing.
But at defensive tackle, the Vikings do have Redmond entering his third season. In 2025, Redmond broke out with six sacks, 12 tackles for loss and five pass defenses.
The Vikings might give Redmond all the snaps he can handle next season. Minnesota has to replace roughly 1,400 snaps at defensive tackle because of the Hargrave and Allen exits.
Redmond, though, already played 793 defensive snaps last season. Fellow Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez also played 461 defensive snaps.
To avoid overextending those two youngsters, the Vikings would be wise to add a veteran such as Reader. The former Lions defensive lineman could start or support Redmond and Rodriguez in a significant reserve role.
Minnesota might be wise to add a defensive tackle in the draft too. On Monday, Pereles named Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods a draft fit for the Vikings.