The Baltimore Ravens could be aiming to bolster the defensive line in a big way, as they hosted D.J. Reader on a visit.
The Baltimore Ravens have been quiet in free agency, apart from bringing in some offensive line help. While the consensus was they could be aiming more to bolster their team in the draft, the team brought in former Detroit Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader on a visit.
Per the official NFL transaction wire, it was revealed that the Ravens brought in Reader for a visit. A deal has not been made just yet, but this could be a sneaky-good signing for Baltimore if it does happen.
Reader spent the last two seasons with the Lions. In those seasons, he played in and started 15 games in 2024 and played in and started all 17 games in 2025. During that time, he secured three sacks and 51 total tackles.
Prior to landing with the Lions, Reader played four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and four seasons with the Houston Texans.
In total, Reader has secured nine passes defended, 12.5 sacks, and 328 total tackles. His most successful season stat-wise came in 2019 when he brought in 2.5 sacks, 52 total tackles, and 13 quarterback hits with the Texans.
Despite Reader set to turn 32 ahead of the 2026 season, he is a stalwart defensive tackle and veteran who could offer a major boost to the Ravens defensive line.
The Ravens did land Trey Hendrickson to boost the pass rush, but he is not an every-down player who can aid in stopping the run.
Reader played in 583 defensive snaps in 2025, with 267 coming in run defense and 313 coming during pass rush situations. Considering his ability to play in both elements on defense, Baltimore could combine him with Hendrickson on that front.
General manager Eric DeCosta and the front office have been quiet in terms of adding a multitude of players in free agency, other than bringing in the aforementioned Hendrickson.
Bringing Reader in for a visit alone does offer some semblance of a willingness to still upgrade the roster via free agents. Time will tell if a deal will get struck, but the veteran defensive tackle would be a welcome addition following the steep free agency losses the team has been hit with thus far.