The New York Giants could be in the process of landing a crucial free agent.
The New York Giants have been very busy on the free-agent market this offseason, making a bunch of key additions on both sides of the ball.
But there is still work that needs to be done.
The Giants have some very clear holes on their roster even after their spending spree, but the general consensus is that they will fill those needs in the NFL Draft.
Or perhaps New York could make another impactful signing?
The Giants could be leaning toward doing so, as they met with free-agent defensive tackle DJ Reader on Monday, via Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports.
New York is in dire need of a run stuffer up the middle, and Reader would absolutely fit the bill there.
While the 31-year-old may not be the same player he was a few years ago, he is still a reliable presence in the trenches and is coming off of a 2025 campaign in which he played every game for the Detroit Lions.
DJ Reader. Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Again, Reader would have been a more significant addition three or four years back, but he would still comprise a major upgrade over what the Giants currently have.
Dexter Lawrence clearly needs some help (assuming New York doesn't trade him), and a Lawrence-Reader duo would certainly be interesting for Big Blue. Plus, both defensive tackles went to Clemson.
Reader began his NFL career with the Houston Texans in 2016 and spent four seasons there before making his way to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he resided for another four years. He then landed with the Lions in 2024.
The Giants had one of the worst run defenses in the league this past season and could potentially find an answer in the draft, which is pretty loaded with talent at the defensive tackle position.
However, with New York being pretty short on draft capital, it may prefer to find its answer on the open market ... even if it currently has just $6.5 million in cap room at the moment.
The Giants should be able to land Reader on a cheap one-year deal, but it's worth noting that the veteran is garnering interest from other teams, as well.
We'll see if New York is able to land the 330-pound behemoth.
NY Giants Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Giants. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.