Cowboys named ideal home for underwhelming Lions defender in latest trade proposal

Since rumors around a particular player ramped up heading into the draft, it seems the Detroit Lions will be idle on the trade front for awhile. Situations can and do change though, and the opportunity to trade someone from a position of depth to a team that needs help at that spot cannot be disregarded.

The Lions were able to add players in the draft who could push certain veterans toward roles that won't fit their status or pay/cap hit. As position battles work themselves out between now and the start of the season, those veterans could have appeal to other teams in trade talks.

One Lions' veteran seems to be picking up some steam as a trade candidate lately, and it may only be a matter of time (driven by some other circumstances) before a move actually happens.

Potential Lions trade candidate now has a prime possible landing spot

Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus recently named one last offseason move for each NFC team, with a player said team could target to fill the prescribed void.

For the Dallas Cowboy Cameron noted "sign or trade for a run-stuffing interior defender" as that final offseason move, with Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader as the recommended target.

"Dallas hasn’t been afraid to leverage future draft capital this offseason and should consider monitoring another opportunity. The Lions’ D.J. Reader has been considered a cut candidate and could fit in nicely with the Cowboys, whether through a trade or a post-release signing. Reader boasts a 91st-percentile PFF run-defense grade over the past three seasons."

Reader was graded out by PFF as a top-40 defensive tackle in the league last season. His first season as a Lion was fine (three sacks, 20 quarterback pressures, PFF grades above 62.0 across the board), but unremarkable overall.

Read more: Lions' second-round pick praised as rookie who could make humongous impact

According to Over The Cap, such as they are or would be compelled to move on, trading Reader is more beneficial to the Lions than cutting him.

A trade before June 1 would clear $7.941 million in cap space, with $4.97 million left behind in dead money for 2025. A post-June 1 trade shifts those numbers to $11.69 million and $1.243 million respectively.

Cutting Reader before June 1, which is unlikely as we sit here approaching mid-May, would leave the Lions with $8.972 in dead money this year and clear $3.961 million in cap space. A post-June 1 cut of course moves those numbers, to $7.69 million in cap savings and $5.243 million in dead money.

Reader is a solid trade asset if the Lions want to go that direction. There would be no reason to cut him, with multiple teams potentially interested if he were available. If a suitable trade offer doesn't come, keeping him would not be the worst thing.

But as teams who may have interest in trading for Reader go, if Brad Holmes entertains the idea, the Cowboys would be high on the list of suitors who could be fleeced. Maybe Jerry Jones eventually makes an offer that can't (shouldn't) be refused.

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