DJ Reader
Getty
DJ Reader is one of the best free agents left
The Indianapolis Colts have slowed down since the first two weeks, but can make some strong additions to the roster with the remaining $26.6 million in cap.
Indy aimed to make the defensive front 7 a priority in the offseason, adding defensive ends Arden Key and Michael Clemons. The edges have been answered, but the interior still needs some help.
With money still available, Indy could add one of the best interior defensive linemen left in the free agent market.
Colts Could Reunite a Defender and Coach
DJ Reader Colts
GettyColts could make a strong addition to their defensive line
Lou Anarumo will enter his second season as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, after receiving some head coaching interviews, and could bring in a familiar face to the team.
Pro Football Focus Mason Cameron calls the Colts the best landing spot for Detroit Lions free agent defensive lineman DJ Reader.
“A productivity dip in Detroit put Reader back on the market, but this time with limited suitors. Despite that, Reader remains a solid interior piece who can bolster the right defensive line,” Cameron wrote. “A move to reunite with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis would prove to be a strong pairing for both sides.”
“While playing under Anarumo in Cincinnati, Reader put together the strongest stretch of his career, earning an 82.0-plus PFF overall grade in 2022 and 2023… Adding Reader would give the Colts defense a key piece familiar with the system and bolster a defense that struggled against interior runs. Indianapolis finished the 2025 campaign ranked 27th in PFF run-defense grade (53.8) when facing A and B gap runs.”
The defender previously played under Anarumo with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019 to the 2023 season. In total, the D-lineman logged 123 tackles (7 for loss) and 3 sacks with the Bengals.
Reader last played for the Lions and did not live up to the expectations built for him after having a solid tenure with the Bengals. But being reunited with his former defensive playcaller could bring the defender back to that level.
Indy signed cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt earlier in free agency, another player with a history with Lou Anarumo, playing some of his best football under the defensive coordinator.
Both players have familiarity with the defensive scheme and could return to their top level of play in the 2026 season.
Colts DC On DJ Reader
Lou Anarumo
GettyLou Anarumo is entering his second season with the Colts
When at Cincinnati, Lou Anarumo had some positive words for DJ Reader after the defensive line sustained an injury.
“There’s nobody going to replace DJ [on the field]. That’s just who DJ is,” Anarumo said, via Sports Illustrated. ”
Anarumo mentioned that in the 2024 free agency, he would have “loved” for Reader to return to the squad if the Bengals could bring him back.
Now, a couple of years later, DJ Reader and Lou Anarumo can be reunited with the AFC South team.