The New York Giants completed the offsesason transformation of their defensive front seven with the signing on Tuesday of veteran nose tackle D.J. Reader. A 10-year veteran, Reader spent the last two seasons with the Detroit Lions. So, we turned to Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit to find out a little bit more about what Reader brings to the Giants.
Ed: The PFF and PFSN scores make it seem as though Reader did not play as well for the Lions as he did at earlier stops in his career. Is that correct?
Jeremy: I think it can be a little hard to trust PFF grades of a primary run-stopping NT. I think Reader is still pretty productive in that role specifically, but if you’re hoping for some extra juice in the pass rush game, I’m not sure he has much left in the tank there.
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Ed: Were the Lions interested in keeping him? If not, why not?
Jeremy: I think the Lions would’ve gladly welcomed him back, but not at that price. They have been in ultra-savings mode. Only one free agent signing/re-signing has averaged more the $5M a year.
Ed: He received a two-year, $12.5M deal from the Giants with $5.25M guaranteed. In your view, will he be worth that to the Giants as a run-stopping primary nose tackle?
Jeremy: It’s a steep decline of the $11M a year deal he was getting from Detroit, but that feels right for his current value. He’s a good early down player, a culture setter, and a good person. It may be a little pricey, but if you can afford him, I don’t see it as wasteful spending.
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What Baldy says
Baldinger might be right. After trading Dexter Lawrence, Reader is probably the one “had to have him” signing by the Giants this offseason.
Not Shane Bowen’s defense
The defense that takes the field under the direction of coordinator Dennard Wilson will be nothing like the one the Giants fielded in 2025.
Interior defensive line
2025 — OUT: Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, D.J. Davidson
2026 — IN: Reader, Shelby Harris, Leki Fotu, Zacch Pickens, Sam Roberts, Bobby Jamison-Travis (HOLDOVERS: Roy Robertson-Harris, Darius Alexander, Chauncey Golston)
Off-ball linebacker
2025 — OUT: Bobby Okereke
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2026 — IN: Arvell Reese, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Kelly (FIGHTING FOR JOBS: Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau)
Cornerback
2025 — OUT: Cor’Dale Flott
2026 — IN: Colton Hood, Greg Newsome II
Safety
2025 — OUT: Dane Belton
2026 — IN: Jason Pinnock, Ar’Darius Washington, Elijah Campbell
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