Unless the Minnesota Vikings are embracing an “addition by subtraction” approach, defensive tackle remains a glaring area of need. They haven’t addressed releasing veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in free agency, though D.J. Reader offers them an opportunity to do just that.
Reader is one of the biggest names left on the open market. He'd be a legitimate difference-maker for the Vikings (or any club that signs him). Plus, his arrival in Minnesota would be even sweeter knowing it comes at the expense of their NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions.
After spending the past two seasons with the Lions, Reader can remind them of what they're missing and go over to the enemy. The Vikings present him with a unique opportunity to step into a meaningful role and exact revenge on Detroit twice annually.
Minnesota Vikings can kill two birds with one stone by signing former Detroit Lions DL D.J. Reader
The Vikings are running out of chances to replace Allen and Hargrave. Perhaps they have their sights set on one of the several intriguing 2026 NFL Draft prospects. Either way, Reader makes for an ideal rotational piece and mentor for Minnesota.
As a fifth-round pick in 2016 with a decade of experience in the league, Reader has seen it all. His knowledge and steady presence could do wonders for an incoming rookie. However, perhaps more notably for the Vikings, he also has plenty left in the tank from an on-field standpoint.
Turning 32 in July, there's a possibility Father Time comes for Reader. Be that as it may, his 2025 efforts suggest that age shouldn't be a problem yet, as he was PFF's 30th-highest-graded interior defender out of 134 qualified options (68.9).
A Vikings stop unit that allowed the 12th-most rushing yards per game last season (124.1) can use someone of Reader's caliber. The Clemson product has established himself as one of the best run-stuffers in football, but he's also far from a one-trick pony. His ability to get to the quarterback goes beyond the raw numbers.
Despite recording zero sacks last season, Reader posted a 10.5 percent pass-rush win rate. That ranked 40th among 169 interior defenders with at least 50 pass-rush snaps and was in line with Allen's 10.8-percent clip. For context, the latter recorded 3.5 sacks.