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Giants give defense crucial boost by adding ex-Lions DT
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- Giants give defense crucial boost by adding ex-Lions DT
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The New York Giants have made some huge changes during the 2026 offseason. Those include big additions, like adding John Harbaugh at head coach, and the loss of key players like Dexter Lawrence . New York just made one more addition on Tuesday who could be the final piece of their defensive line in 2026.
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The Giant are finalizing a deal with veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
That deal is expected to be a two-year contract worth $12.5 million with $15.5 million including incentives, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Reader will earn $6.25 million if he plays in 17 games during the 2026 season, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Reader spent the past two seasons in Detroit. He’s remained both healthy and productive, only missing two regular season games during that span. Reader logged 51 total tackles and three sacks during his time with the Lions.
The Giants have already added Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu on the interior of their defensive line after trading away Lawrence. NFL insiders declared that adding Reader was still an option even after those moves. Now the Giants have even more depth with Reader joining the team.
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Adding Reader would give New York a crucial boost on defense. He projects as the team’s new starting nose tackle, effectively playing the role that Michael Pierce and Haloti Ngata have on Harbaugh defenses in Baltimore.
Giants fans can expect Reader to start alongside some combination of Roy Robertson-Harris, Shelby Harris, and Darius Alexander on the interior. Reader may cede some snaps to other players on obvious passing downs.
New York looks to have a truly fearsome defense heading into the 2026 season. It will be exciting to see if that translates to the field later this fall.
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