Could the Dallas Cowboys Target Lions DT D.J. Reader in a Trade?

The Dallas Cowboys might have their eyes on Detroit Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader as they look to bolster their interior defensive line. Reader is set to enter the final year of a two-year, $22 million contract he signed with Detroit in the 2024 offseason.

Last season, Reader started 15 games for the Lions, recording 23 total tackles, a personal best 3.0 sacks, six quarterback hits, and 11 pressures. His performance didn’t go unnoticed, particularly by analysts like Mason Cameron from Pro Football Focus. In a recent article outlining one final offseason move for each NFC team, Cameron identified Reader as a strong potential acquisition for Dallas. He emphasized that despite the Cowboys signing Solomon Thomas, the team still needs a reliable run-defending interior lineman to address their poor run defense, which ranked 30th last year with a PFF grade of 48.0.

Cameron believes Reader would be a solid fit in Dallas, especially considering his elite run-stopping ability, highlighted by a 91st-percentile PFF run-defense grade over the last three seasons. While Reader has been rumored as a potential cut candidate, a trade might be more likely. Given his age—he turns 31 in July—and his contract (a $13 million cap hit in 2025), Detroit might only receive a Day 3 draft pick in return.

Still, it’s uncertain whether the Lions would part ways with such a key contributor. Reader’s experience and leadership are highly valued in Detroit, particularly after he bounced back from a torn quad tendon and made significant plays in 2024, including a standout Week 13 performance against the Bears.

For Dallas, adding a proven interior lineman like Reader would align perfectly with new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 system, which prioritizes run defense and creating turnovers. Reader’s presence could help free up star linebacker Micah Parsons and make life easier for the Cowboys’ edge rushers.

Reader’s NFL journey began in 2016 when the Houston Texans drafted him in the fifth round. He grew into a dependable run defender before moving to Cincinnati in 2020, where he became a central figure on defense and even served as a team captain. He played a key role in the Bengals’ Super Bowl 56 run before signing with Detroit in 2024.

While the Cowboys might explore making a call, it remains to be seen if the Lions are willing to send a key veteran to another contender within the NFC.