DJ Reader signs with Giants. Is he New York's Dexter Lawrence replacement?
The Giants have signed a trio of veteran defensive tackles, including DJ Reader, to help replace Dexter Lawrence after trading him to the Bengals.
The New York Giants are continuing to be aggressive in adding to their defensive tackle room following the 2026 NFL Draft . The Giants are signing 10-year NFL veteran DJ Reader to a two-year free agent contract, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not official.
Reader's deal will be worth up to $15. 5 million with a base value of $12. 5 million.
The Giants will be the fourth different team for which Reader has played across his career. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Houston Texans , the next four with the Cincinnati Bengals and the most recent two with the Detroit Lions . Reader started all 17 games for the Lions in 2025.
He failed to record a sack but logged 28 tackles while grading as Pro Football Focus ' 32nd-best interior defender among 127 qualified players. Reader has never been much of a pass rusher during his career, notching only 12. 5 total sacks in 137 games (128 starts).