DJ Reader had a long wait to find a new home this offseason, but after sitting in free agency for nearly two months, he can officially call himself a former member of the Detroit Lions. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Reader has agreed to a two-year contract that is worth $12.5 million and could be worth up to $15.5 million with incentives. But despite a big pay day, it comes with a catch.
Reader is replacing former Giants star Dexter Lawrence on the defensive line after the three-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals last month. While Reader is a solid player, he may not be able to live up to the hole Lawrence created with his departure, giving the former Lion big shoes to fill as he arrives in the Big Apple.
DJ Reader Has Unenviable Task of Replacing Dexter Lawrence
Reader started in 32 games over his two seasons with the Lions, but his play was more of a reserve level, logging 51 total tackles with four tackles for loss and three sacks. Last season was an even bigger baseline level of play without a tackle for loss or a sack, despite playing in all 17 games, and landing with the Giants feels like it was a last resort.
Of course, the Giants may be just as desperate. Lawrence spent seven seasons with the Giants and became a two-time second-team All-Pro selection after entering the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was also one of their most indispensable defensive players, racking up 30.5 sacks during his career. But the constant losing took its toll, and he demanded a trade that also netted him a one-year, $28 million contract extension with the Bengals.
While the Giants got the 10th overall pick in the draft, they used it on offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis was the only defensive lineman the Giants took during the draft, and it leaves Reader joining a group that has Roy Robertson-Harris and Shelby Harris.
Detroit will move on, hoping that Alim McNeil can find his form after he tore his ACL late in the 2024 season and 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams can take a step forward after a promising rookie year. Perhaps Reader is a stopgap for Lawrence’s departure as New York embarks on another rebuild led by new head coach John Harbaugh. But it is also a less-than-ideal situation compared to the one he was in with the Lions.
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