Go big or go home: Lions sign massive, run-stuffing defensive tackle DJ Reader

DJ Reader's visit with the Detroit Lions has turned into a signing. The veteran defensive tackle came to terms on a two-year contract with the team Thursday afternoon.

According to Bleacher Report, the deal could be worth up to $27 million. The NFL Network is reporting only $9 million is guaranteed.

The 6-foot-3, 335-pounder has the potential to offer massive improvement for the heart of Detroit's defense. The eight-year veteran long has been considered one of the league's best run-stuffers at the position, while quietly making steady contributions as a pocket-crushing pass rusher. Despite racking up just 9.5 sacks during his career, he's generated at least 32 quarterback pressures each of the past three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Unlike many free agents, who agreed to terms with new teams sight unseen early this week, Reader was able to get a more personal feel for the Lions before putting pen to paper.

"That grit, that nastiness, I mean, if you're a D-lineman, you want to play in an environment like that," Reader said. "Guys are going to fly around, play hard, their coaches are tough-nosed, (coach Dan Campbell's) demanding, he's not disrespectful. That's amazing. You want those types of things. As a player, if you don't want that type of stuff, then you don't want to get better. I think being here, and feeling the energy here, it's definitely a place where people want to come to get better, and that's from top down."

A fifth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2016, Reader spent the first four years of his career in Houston prior to signing a lucrative contract with Cincinnati as a free agent ahead of the 2020 season.

He is currently recovering from a torn quad, suffered in December last season. It's the second time he's suffered the injury during his career, but to different legs. He also missed six games with a knee injury in 2022. Despite some of those durability concerns, he's appeared in at least 14 games six of his eight seasons. The Lions clearly felt good about the medical report on his current injury prior to the signing.

To his credit, Reader arguably had his best pro season after his first quad tear in 2020, which he said gives him confidence for how he'll rebound from the more recent injury.

"Last quad injury, came back, went to the Super Bowl, got a sack in the Super Bowl, balled out," Reader said. "It's the same confidence here. That's why I tell you that you never let people paint the vision of what you see in the mirror. Never let anybody paint your picture. You know who you are. You see it every day. Look at yourself, you know who you are, feel confident in that. I couldn't be more confident in where I'm going to be."

A 96-game starter, who regularly logs more than 40 snaps each week, Reader will be paired alongside Alim McNeill in Detroit. The former third-round draft pick experienced a breakout in his third season, racking up five sacks in 13 games after dropping more than 30 pounds last offseason.

Reader is looking forward to the pairing.

"He's also a (North) Carolina guy," Reader said. "I'm super happy about that. I love guys from Carolina. I feel like we got the best athletes in the country. You can quote me on that one. But I'm excited to pair with him, see what he does well. I watch him all the time on film, so I'm excited to just get around him and be able to pick his brain, what he likes about the position.

"Every guy's got different things they like about playing D-tackle. I got my own things I enjoy about playing defensive tackle. So I just want to talk to him about it, and pick his brain and see what he's got going on, and what our future holds."

Detroit's run defense is shaping up to be formidable. Already coming off a season where they allowed 3.7 yards per carry, its fewest since 2014, the team recently hired veteran defensive line coach Terrell Williams to led the defense line. He has an established history of piecing together some of the league's top units against the run.

The contract given to Reader is the most the Lions have awarded an outside free agent, by average annual cost, during general manager Brad Holmes' three years at the helm. The move doesn't necessarily mark the end of the team's spending during the ongoing free-agent period, but is likely their last big addition following the previously reported signings of defensive end Marcus Davenport, cornerback Amik Robertson, and trade for longtime Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers