As the first week of free agency began to wind down a bit, defensive tackle DJ Reader, who had a damaged quad tendon that ended his 2023 career with the Cincinnati Bengals, was scheduled to visit the Detroit Lions.
They did not allow him to leave the premises without a contract since they liked what they saw, heard from him, etc. The Lions stand to gain a great deal from the two-year, $27.25 million contract, which includes a full $9 million guarantee and a feasible option to cut bait after the first year if Reader doesn’t live up to expectations.
However, Reader is a superb run defender who has contributed some inside pass rush force in three of the previous five seasons (professor Football Focus has graded his run defense at 75.0 or higher, and 70.8 in the other).
Of course, Reader’s health is the main concern, but he has already stated that he is recovering nicely, and the Lions were clearly satisfied with the information they had concerning his rehabilitation.
DJ Reader’s signing by the Lions has received praise from everyone.
The guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed this week, might very quickly take the nod instead.
However, Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network named Reader the Lions’ finest free agent signing despite bringing up Zeitler.
Instead, the decision might be made very soon by the guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed this week.
Despite bringing up Zeitler, Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network ranked Reader the best free agency signing made by the Lions.
“But Detroit’s masterwork was inserting DT DJ Reader in the middle of a defensive line that was already exceptionally skilled.
Reader is a genuine difference-maker at nose tackle and will free up Lions DC Aaron Glenn to use more players in coverage even though he is recovering from a damaged quad tendon.”
Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus selected Reader for the Lions, giving him an A-rating for “Fit/Need” and an A+ grade for “Value.
” Spielberger then listed his best and least favorite free agent acquisition for each team.
Reader and Alim McNeill, two players who placed in the top 10 in run-defense grade at the position, now line up on the interior of Detroit’s defensive line.
Detroit has been actively enhancing their defense this offseason, and their defensive line has made significan progres
Reader’s signing by the Lions received an A- from Walter Football. Sporting News’s Vinnie Iyer gave it an A.
Given that Reader has missed 10 games in the past two seasons, Bleacher Report only gave it a B, citing the health risk.
Reader signed a very low-risk contract with the Lions, which will pay off in the second year provided he stays healthy and plays well this season.
A smart free agent move is one that meets a need without going over budget, which is why the reader signing’s evaluations are where they are.
According to Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, the Detroit Lions have negotiated contracts in free agency that are gradually being added to their roster.
The most recent contracts that have been filed are those for DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport.
The reader’s deal was first stated to be valued up to $27.25 million and to last for two years.
About two years, or $21–$22 million, are allotted, with the remaining funds coming from unidentified possible incentives.
His cap numbers for the next two years (per Over The Cap) will be $5.3 and $12.2 million, respectively. Prorated over five years (three vacant years) is a $6.215 million signing bonus.
With roster bonuses of up to $1.28 million ($75,00 each game; 2024) and $510,000 ($30,000 every game; 2025), readers will have roster bonuses of $2.1 (2024) and $4 million (2025).
The “likely to be earned” component indicates that $1.05 million will go toward his salary hit this year because he appeared in 14 games with the Bengals.
n 2025, the Lions will have $7.27 million in cap space available if Reader doesn’t heal from his ruptured quad tendon and perform as anticipated. This includes $4.97 million in dead money.
According to reports, Davenport agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10.5 million, with a base of $6.5 million. In order to spread out his $4.595 million signing bonus, a vacant year has been included.
In 2024, he will have a cap number of $3.42 million, and when his contract expires in 2025, it will be slightly under $2.3 million.
In addition to a $150,000 workout bonus and a $3 million roster bonus, he will also receive a $850,000 total per game bonus ($50,000 each game).
In terms of the cap hit associated with that per-game roster bonus, the “likely to be earned” marking is low because he appeared in four Vikings games.
It’s important to remember the restructure of CB Carlton Davis’ contract in this instance.
