It was a busy day for the Detroit Lions at present. After signing their head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes to extensions, a number of sources reported that the staff signed free agent defensive sort out DJ Reader after he visited with the staff on Thursday. The deal is reportedly for as much as $27.25 million for 2 years, with over $9 million assured.
This signing is the most important one by the Lions but to this point in free company. Basic supervisor Brad Holmes method to free company sometimes doesn’t embrace making flashy signings, however the staff wanted some assistance on their defensive position, they usually received probably the greatest inside defensive linemen accessible.
Take a look at how Reader goes to influence the 2024 Detroit Lions staff, the way it presumably adjustments their early draft technique, and what I grade the signing.
How good is DJ Reader?
Reader isn’t only a defensive sort out, he’s primarily a nostril sort out, one thing the Lions have been wanting on their roster. They’ve tried to place others in an identical function, and whereas the outcomes have been effective, they wanted an improve. Somebody to essentially put the strain on the opponents’ offensive line when the Lions protection is out on the sector. Over his profession, Reader has 277 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 9 and a half sacks, eight go deflections, three fumble recoveries, and a compelled fumble.
The massive knock on Reader was his damage historical past, and whereas he solely missed two video games when he was with the Houston Texans from 2016 to 2019, his time with the Cincinnati Bengals wasn’t as wholesome. In 2020, he tore his left quad in Week 5, ending his season as he missed the ultimate 12 video games of the season. He returned although and in 2021 solely missed one recreation—a veteran relaxation recreation—and was injury-free for the season. In 2022, Reader returned to the IR, however for under six video games with a knee damage. Final season, in Week 15, Reader tore his proper quad, ending his season.
The excellent news is, Reader appears to be recovering from this torn quad (on his proper aspect), higher than his final (on the left). When chatting with the Day by day Dayton Information, Reader informed them that when he received out of surgical procedure, he might already contract the muscle, one thing he could not do final time.
Reader stated three weeks out from the process “It feels so much higher within the early phases.” Final time he stated it took six months for him to return however was working in about 4 months and felt “wonderful” at about 9 months after surgical procedure.“
How does this have an effect on the Lions?
This helps the defensive position vastly. They get an inside rusher, alongside defensive sort out Alim McNeil who may help generate some strain on the quarterback, however most significantly, may help cease the run. The Lions have been already good at stopping the run final season, ending with the second-least quantity of dashing yards allowed, and the third-lowest yards per carry at 3.7.
The most important constructive about Reader is his skill to disrupt the play together with his dimension and energy. The times of defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson getting double-teamed are up to now when Reader is on the sector. He can be too tough to have in a one-on-one matchup and if you happen to give him the lane to be a free rusher, ache can be coming your method as an opposing offensive participant.
One other method Reader helps the Lions is of their draft technique. We all know Holmes doesn’t all the time draft for want—simply take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft the place he took gamers at positions that weren’t wanted within the first spherical—and it’s labored out effectively for the Lions.
I consider the Lions can cross off defensive sort out as a necessity within the first 4 rounds. If they need one other physique for depth—because the staff did lose Benito Jones to the Miami Dolphins on Thursday as effectively—they may try this. With the cornerback additions and Reader on the staff, the door is open for a guard or defensive finish to get picked when the Lions are on the clock at choose 29.
Was he well worth the value?
Completely, Reader was well worth the value. The Lions have sufficient wants that they’ll’t handle all of it come the draft. Plus, this entrance workplace likes to develop gamers and whereas there aren’t many holes on the staff, if Holmes can draft a developmental man that may study behind a seasoned veteran, that’s higher than throwing the rookie to the wolves. Whereas all the contract particulars aren’t out but, with solely over $9 million assured, which is barely a 3rd of the general contract, this was a no brainer transfer.
Reader’s late-season damage most likely did knock his price ticket down a bit, however the contract is total a pleasant deal. It’s a bit larger than some individuals needed to spend on Reader, however if you take a look at the expertise he has, he’s price it.
Last ideas and grade
Grade: A
Total, that is the most important free agent addition to the 2024 class and it is going to be onerous to high it. The Lions received one in all their largest wants on the defensive position crammed out with a veteran who can step on the sector and have an prompt influence on what is going on. One other nice facet about this transfer is that he can work hand in hand with gamers like McNeil and Hutchinson, to assist alleviate the stresses of the workload.
In keeping with PFF, Reader was the Twelfth-ranked defensive lineman who performed a minimum of 20% of snaps in 2023, with an 82.2 grade. He was ninth in run protection with a grade of 75.3, and 14th in go rush with a grade of 79.1.
That type of influence can be enormous on the Lions’ protection, as their protection and defensive position play have been their largest weaknesses in 2023. Upgrading their go rush is extra essential to this staff, as they’re doing simply effective at stopping the run, and whereas Reader isn’t identified for his go dashing skill, his availability on the sector may help others get to the quarterback extra usually. If Holmes takes a defensive finish early within the draft and provides him to this defensive position, it’s going to be actually onerous to seek out success in opposition to this entrance 4.