Detroit Lions free agency: D.J. Reader
The Lions' biggest move so far this off-season
Despite how good they were last season — claiming the NFC North title and reaching the NFC title game — the Detroit Lions defense was a MAJOR issue for them. Although they were the second best run defense in the league, allowing just 91.1 rush yards per game, they were the second worst pass defense in the league allowing a whopping 257 yards per game.
This raises one big question for me. Was their run defense actually that good, or were teams just airing it out all game because they knew the Lions couldn’t stop them?
To the delight of many (including myself), the Lions were able to make a major splash in the free agent market by signing former Cincinnati Bengals Captain, D.J. Reader to a two-year deal worth up to $27.25 million, with over $9 million guaranteed, per NFL Network.
The 9-year veteran — who started in 14 games last season, and finished the year with 34 tackles, a sack and seven QB hits — is coming off of a quad injury that landed him on the injured reserve last December. However, the potential of what he can bring to this team outweighs any concerns of injury for me… I think.
One of the biggest reasons the Lions allowed their opponents to throttle them in the pass game was their lack of a pass rush. Last season, the Lions defense ranked 23rd in total sacks at just 41.0, with 11.5 of those coming just from Aiden Hutchinson. I don’t care how good your secondary is, if the QB has all day to throw he will find someone open enough to make a play. This is where Reader comes into the picture.
Standing at 6’3 and weighing almost 330 lbs., Reader’s ability to stop the run is no joke and well known throughout the league. However, he is by no means an elite pass rusher, having only gotten to the QB 9.5 times in his entire career. But, he is still good enough to draw attention from the offensive line. With him there, Hutchinson — who led the league in QB pressures last season with 62 — will face less double teams and turn those pressures into hits.
But team’s expect the Lions to pressure them off the edge. Reader’s presence will also allow fellow tackle Alim McNeill to blow up the pocket from the interior. McNeill entered last season down 13% of his body fat to improve his mobility. This helped lead him to a career high 5.0 sacks in just his third year in the league. Now with Reader there to not only coach him, but be a reliable partner on the inside — something McNeill has never had — he may once again improve his numbers and get to opposing QBs more frequently.
Reader isn’t in Detroit to be the star defender. He’s there to be a leader. Reliable defensive linemen have been far and few between in Detroit. If he can stay healthy, this will go down as yet another big move for Lions’ GM Brad Holmes.