After missing the end of the 2023 season with a quad injury. D.J. Reader is starting to generate some interest in free agency. The veteran defensive tackle will be meeting with the Lions on Thursday, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.
Reader was completing a four-year, $53MM last season and appeared to be setting himself up nicely for his impending free agency. Through 14 games, the 29-year-old compiled 34 tackles and one sack while grading as Pro Football Focus’ 11th-best interior defender (among 130 qualifiers). However, a torn quad ended his season prematurely and put his free agency prospects in doubt.
The veteran tore his other quad in 2020, and while he managed to get into 15 games the following season, he was limited to only 10 contests in 2022. Injuries are now built into the defensive tackle’s profile, so Reader may be hard pressed to earn a long-term commitment.
Still, Reader would be a fit for a Lions squad that was reportedly in the market for help on the defensive line. Former third-round pick Alim McNeill has solidified himself as a starting nose tackle, but 36-year-old Tyson Alualu is currently penciled in next to him at defensive tackle. Reader would provide a high-upside option next to McNeill; even with the injuries, Reader hasn’t ranked lower than 12th on PFF’s positional rankings since 2019.
Thanks to that production, the Bengals are also hoping to retain the defensive lineman. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bengals want to re-sign Reader, but the DT is expected to explore his options in free agency with a “few” suitors looming.
Would be a great addition for DET to go alongside McNeil. Then add an EDGE opposite Hutch and we’re looking really good going into 2024
Yeah, Reader would definitely be an upgrade over Jones as McNeill’s partner inside. Cominsky did great work when moved there, but size-wise he’s a little smaller. If no EDGE is signed, Cominsky moving outside and having Reader and McNeill inside would a nasty line to try to run against. Cominsky isn’t a top pass rusher, and is much better in the run game, but he does enough to probably complement Hutchinson in that role and may allow him to move around freely to maximize the pass rush. If the Lions don’t add a true pass rusher, that could be a setup worth considering. Perhaps they elect to use that pick instead in the secondary, in that scenario.
Of course, this assumes that Reader has recovered to form from his injury and can play full time snap-wise going forward.
A perfect Lions target, coming off of injury.
lol
Well if you sign 3 guys to injury prove it contracts for 1/3 value other FAs are getting you only need 1 to perform well to “break even” and 2/3 makes you look like a genius.. but would rather Lions just nut up and sign a proven commodity
If the frugality on the signings to date is due to extensions coming for Goff, Sewell and St. Brown, then it will be wise.
Hate to break it to you….
But with a 17 game season there is NO SUCH THING as a “injury-free’ free agent outside of kickers and quarterbacks
There is a difference between a player missing a game, perhaps two due to an in season injury and a player who lands on IR in half of their seasons played.