D.J. Reader, Giants Reportedly Agree to Contract After Dexter Lawrence's Trade to Bengals

The New York Giants are signing veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the sides agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million deal, which includes additional incentive-laden cash.

The Giants are counting on Reader to help fill the void left by Dexter Lawrence's trade to the Cincinnati Bengals.

New York has basically sought to replace Lawrence in the aggregate. Before Tuesday's move, the team brought Shelby Harris, Leki Fotu and Sam Roberts aboard on one-year contracts along with selecting Bobby Jamison-Travis in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Reader failed to register a sack or tackle for loss in 17 starts with the Detroit Lions in 2025, but he's not a defender who typically gets into the backfield with great frequency. His career high for sacks was three in 2024.

Clogging up rushing lanes is much more of Reader's speciality. During his two years in the Motor City, the Lions ranked fifth and 14th in rushing defense.

The 31-year-old doesn't give the Giants the same profile as Lawrence, who's more of an interior pass-rusher. His presence should help a unit that allowed the second-most rushing yards (145.3 per game) in the league.

New York generally received high marks for the Lawrence trade. The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off a down year and wanted a reworked contract, which he got from Cincinnati. Flipping him for what ultimately became Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa was a good piece of business.

Grading Francis Mauigoa Pick

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Losing Lawrence was nonetheless a big blow to the defense, and there was no realistic way to bring in a defensive tackle as good as him.

Opting instead to target Reader and other smaller additions was a smart way to approach the defensive front.