Before trading Dexter Lawrence, the New York Giants had veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader visit.
After shipping Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, New York is bringing Reader back for good, signing him to a two-year contract, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network Insiders reported Tuesday.
The deal comes after the Giants discussed the interior of the defensive line with sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis out of Auburn and another veteran signing Shelby Harris. Big Blue also added Ohio State dynamo Arvell Reese with his first of two early rounds.
After Reese’s selection, head coach John Harbaugh initially said the hybrid rookie will line up next to outside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds as a backup, while Abdul Carter and 2025 Brian Burns will be out, along with 2022 first baseman Kayvon Thibodeaux.
While the Giants are loaded in the front seven, with Lawrence gone, there was a need up top and Reader should help fill that role.
The 31-year-old is coming off a two-year run with the Detroit Lions before longer stints with the Bengals (2020-2023) and Houston Texans (2016-2019).
An efficient runner who in his prime was also a solid runner, Reader is entering 2025 with no sacks and 28 tackles in 17 starts for Detroit.
Generating stats isn’t likely to be that big of a priority for Reader with the Giants, though. With New York overflowing with talented pass rushers, Reader will be asked to excel in the run game and bulldoze defenders in hopes of freeing up his superior teammates.
One of the last players remaining on Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 free agents at No. 54, Reader has found his latest landing spot as the Giants’ defense continues to take shape and build expectations.