The New York Giants are making big moves in the trenches. After trading star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, the team has wasted no time reloading their defensive line—and their latest addition is a seasoned veteran with a reputation for stopping the run.

According to a source familiar with the deal, the Giants are signing 10-year NFL veteran DJ Reader to a two-year contract. The deal is worth up to $15.5 million, with a base value of $12.5 million. Reader becomes the third veteran defensive tackle to join the Giants this offseason, signaling a clear strategy: build a wall in the middle of the defense.

At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Reader has built his career on being a dominant force against the run. While he's never been a prolific pass rusher—recording just 12.5 sacks over 137 games (128 starts)—his power and leverage make him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines on early downs. In 2025, he started all 17 games for the Detroit Lions, tallying 28 tackles and earning a solid grade from Pro Football Focus as the 32nd-best interior defender out of 127 qualified players.

This signing marks the fourth stop in Reader's NFL journey. He began his career with the Houston Texans (2016–2019), spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (2020–2023), and most recently played two seasons with the Lions. Now, he brings his veteran leadership and run-stopping prowess to a Giants team looking to fill the massive void left by Lawrence's departure.

For Giants fans, Reader may not be the flashy name that Lawrence was, but he's exactly the type of gritty, dependable presence that can anchor a defensive line. And when you're suiting up in those iconic blue uniforms, every snap counts.