D.J. Reader, Detroit Lions
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D.J. Reader #98 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field.
The New York Giants went into free agency with a murky cap situation. Despite not having the most money to work with, the front office and John Harbaugh did a great job of supplementing the roster in areas where they needed it.
They retained important players, replaced key contributors who left for greener pastures, and added exciting new faces, like linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and tight end Isaiah Likely.
They’re not done yet, though, and still have a few key areas that need attention. Both the offensive and defensive trenches remain unfinished and could use another starter or two on both sides of the ball.
New York, in particular, could use another piece on the defensive line, considering Dexter Lawrence is the only true star on the interior.
Giants Urged to Pursue DT D.J. Reader
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport urged the New York Giants to pursue former Detroit Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader, a veteran presence that the Giants could desperately use to shore up one of the league’s worst run defenses.
“D.J. Reader isn’t going to add much to the pass rush with just 12.5 career sacks over a decade in the NFL. But he has started 128 games in the middle of the defensive line, and the 330-pounder is a plus run defender,” wrote Davenport.
“Pairing the 31-year-old with Dexter Lawrence would give the Giants significantly more muscle at the point of attack.”
Reader is a productive free agent option who won’t break the bank in New York. Spotrac projects the veteran to land a two-year, $7.7 million deal, something the Giants can surely afford.
The former Lion was Pro Football Focus’s 30th-ranked interior defensive tackle out of 134 qualified players last season, higher than any other Giants defensive tackle outside of Lawrence.
New York’s run defense was one of the worst in the league last season. They gave up the 31st-most rushing yards per game among teams, and were dead last according to Sumer Sports’ EPA/rush efficiency statistic.
Reader may not help the Giants’ pass rush, but as a run defender, he could be the key to turning things around on New York’s biggest defensive weak spot.
Giants Must Add DL Depth
Outside the interior of the offensive line, the defensive line is easily the most neglected position group of the New York Giants so far this offseason.
Lawrence is the Giants’ biggest star on the interior, of course. But next to him, you have 2025 third-round pick Darius Alexander and ninth-year veteran Roy Robertson-Harris.
Alexander could be a rotational piece going forward. In 16 games last season, he recorded 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss, showing real promise.
Robertson-Harris, though, may need to be replaced. He was Pro Football Focus’s 91st-best defensive tackle last season among 134 qualified players.
The Giants did add former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Sam Roberts and hosted Shelby Harris on a free agent visit, but they still need more.
Adding a player like Reader could be the piece New York needs to completely turn around their league-worst run defense from last season.