The Giants went into this offseason determined to get bigger and more stout along their defensive line. That objective could be solved if they decide to sign veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
The 31-year old was in for a visit on Monday, The Post confirmed, and this was not just a look-see meeting. Something could get done with him within the next two weeks.
Adding Reader would not be a replacement for Dexter Lawrence, the disgruntled nose tackle who wants more money added to his contract and as a result has requested a trade. The Giants are not interested in parting ways with Lawrence but they are interested in finding a running mate for him on the interior of the line. They have veteran Roy Robertson-Harris returning on the roster, as well as Darius Alexander — the 2025 third-round draft pick — and added 27-year old Sam Roberts in free agency.
Reader would be a strong addition. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds he is a space-eater and known for his ability to stuff opposing rushing attacks. A 2016 fifth-round pick of the Texans out of Clemson, Reader is a 10-year veteran of 137 NFL games — 128 starts. He is not much of a pass rusher — only 12.5 sacks — and he has only 27 tackles for loss in his career. He has played for the Texans, Bengals and Lions. In 2025, he started all 17 games for the Lions.
Lawrence, 28, is only halfway through the four-year, $90 million contract extension he signed in May of 2023. In that deal, $60 million was guaranteed to Lawrence and that has already been paid out by the Giants, leaving Lawrence with no more guaranteed money. He is not comfortable with that, and also unhappy that he is now the league’s 12th-highest paid interior defensive lineman — he was third on that list after he signed his new contract two years ago.
The Giants want to keep Lawrence and surround him with more support along the line to help fix a run defense that finished 31st in the NFL in 2025. Reader would address that desire.