The Detroit Lions made their biggest splash of free agency on Thursday when they signed defensive lineman DJ Reader to a two year deal. Reader figures to be a major part of the Lions defensive line in 2024 and he's already shown that he wants to be a leader in the locker room as well.
Still, there's just a lot that we don't know about Reader. So we decided to reach out to our very own Bengals beat writer John Sheeran to get the scoop. Here's what he had to say:
What are your overall thoughts on Readers time in Cincinnati?
"Reader was everything the Bengals wanted and needed him to be. He was a perfect free agent signing for a team that had never ventured in those waters before. He was a driving force for the defense that helped win five playoff games in two years. Not many nose tackles have ever been able to say the same."
What are his strengths?
"Reader combined all-around strength, leverage, and awareness in a way that’s rare for players his size. He could handle any double team thrown at him, and his hand usage was proficient enough to win as a pass rusher more than you’d expect."
What are his weaknesses?
"There weren’t many to speak of. His position was part of the reason why he played less than 50% of the defense’s snaps during his time here, and the other reason was because of injuries. Detroit is taking on the risk that he’ll be the same player in Detroit another year older and coming off another lower body injury."
How much of a leader has he been?
"One of the best leaders in the locker room. He knows all about fighting through disrespect. He made that an emphasis during the 2021 playoff run. He set the tone for the whole defensive line. One of the best captains in Cincinnati in quite some time."
How big of an impact will he have on the Lions pass rush?
"Again, if he’s the same player as he was the past few years, he’ll be a plus in that department. He can handle a one-on-one against a run of the mill guard no problem. It’s not where his true value lies, rather it’s a bonus. Just a testament to how special of a player he turned out to be. I hope Detroit gets even one year of the prime Reader I watched for nearly four years."
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