On March 14, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced that the Detroit Lions had signed veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader to a two-year contract. It’s reasonable to assume Lions linebacker and defensive captain Alex Anzalone is pleased with the signing.
Anzalone took to X (previously Twitter) to share his delight over Reader joining the Lions’ defensive line.
“Mac, Reader, Hutch and Marcus up front is who you want walking off the bus first,” Anzalone said in a post on X. “LFG!”
Reader, who is 6 feet 3 and weighs 335 pounds, is obviously terrifying as he walks off any bus. With that size, he recorded 34 combined tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback hits for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. He also recorded one sack, one pass defense, and one fumble recovery.
According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Reader’s two-year contract might be worth $27.25 million. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Reader will receive more than $9 million in guaranteed compensation.
How DT D.J. Reader Fits In With The Detroit Lions
Despite signing defensive end Marcus Davenport, Lions fans on social media have urged the team to make a huge splash on the defensive line. The Lions responded to those calls with Reader.
Members of the Lions media, like Anzalone, were excited about Reader’s arrival in Detroit.
“Hopefully y’all can chill out,” MLive.com’s Ben Raven posted on X. “Good material here by downloading Reader. When he’s healthy, he’s an absolute stud.
Reader has not played a full season since 2019. However, in two of the previous three seasons, he dressed for at least 14 games.
He began his career as a fifth-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2016. He started seven games as a rookie before becoming a full-time starter in his second season. Reader joined the Bengals when his rookie contract expired.
Reader has performed admirably throughout his career, according to Pro Football Focus player grades. In 2023, Reader had the third-best PFF player grade on the Bengals defense (among players with more than 25 snaps). It was his second consecutive year with an 82 (out of 100) or higher grade.
He had a career-high 85.4 PFF grade in 2019 and a 79 grade in two previous seasons.
PFF ranked Reader 11th among defensive tackles who played at least 50% of their team’s defensive snaps in 2023.
Reader will turn 30 in July, but the Lions have not signed him over the age of 31. He will be paired with rising star defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who finished second on the Lions with 5 sacks last season.
With Reader and McNeill clogging the middle, Anzalone’s job at linebacker might be much easier next season.
Remaining needs that the Lions could address via free agency
It’s unknown how much Reader will count toward the Lions’ salary cap in 2024. Prior to the agreement, the Lions had $28.4 million in cap space.
How much Reader uses that space will influence what else Detroit does this offseason. However, it appears that the roster’s key needs have been met.
In addition to Reader, the Lions have signed Davenport to pair with Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive end. Detroit also signed cornerback Amik Robertson.
The Lions signed all three players to one- or two-year contracts to provide the franchise with long-term flexibility.
Furthermore, the Lions traded for cornerback Carlton Davis, who is expected to be the team’s new top cover corner.
Last season, Detroit was on the verge of making the Super Bowl, but its subpar pass defense couldn’t hang on to a 17-point lead at halftime in the NFC Championship Game. Throughout the 2023 regular season, the Lions ranked 27th in pass defense and 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt.
The Lions added Reader, Davenport, Robertson, and Davis for the same reason: to enhance the team’s pass defense.
The Lions may now shift their focus to offensive. Detroit lost starter guard Jonah Jackson to free agency. Josh Reynolds, the team’s second-leading receiver, is also a free agent.
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