New York Giants finalizing deal for former Clemson DT DJ Reader

Former Clemson defensive tackle D.J. Reader is headed to the Big Apple.

The New York Giants are finalizing a deal with Reader, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, giving the Giants a veteran defensive tackle after trading former Clemson star Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals. Reuters reported that Reader’s deal is for two years and $12.5 million, with incentives that could push it up to $15.5 million.

For Clemson fans, the move creates a pretty wild defensive tackle connection. The Giants are not replacing Lawrence with the same kind of player because Lawrence has been one of the NFL’s best interior defenders, but they are adding another former Tiger who has built a long career doing the dirty work inside. Reader is not the flashiest name on a defensive line, but he has been one of the league’s more reliable run-stuffing tackles when healthy.

Reader spent the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions after previous stops with the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2025, he started all 17 games for Detroit and finished with 28 tackles. Across his NFL career, Reader has played in 138 games, totaling 328 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 36 stuffs, and nine passes defended.

That is the type of resume that explains why New York would want him after moving on from Lawrence. Reader is not coming in to be a pass-rushing superstar. He is coming in to give the Giants a large, experienced presence in the middle of the defense, especially against the run. The New York Post described him as a veteran run-stopper expected to help fill the nose tackle role after the Lawrence trade.