The Dallas Cowboys recently pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for wide receiver George Pickens, but now an analyst wants to see the Cowboys make a big move on defense in a trade with the Detroit Lions.
The Cowboys sported one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season, with the team surrendering 137.1 yards per game, the fourth-worst mark in the league.
In order to help that situation going into 2025, Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron wants to see the Cowboys trade for Detroit Lions defensive lineman, D.J. Reader.
“Dallas hasn’t been afraid to leverage future draft capital this offseason and should consider monitoring another opportunity,” he wrote. “The Lions’ D.J. Reader has been considered a cut candidate and could fit in nicely with the Cowboys, whether through a trade or a post-release signing. Reader boasts a 91st-percentile PFF run-defense grade over the past three seasons.”
Once considered an elite interior defender, Reader saw his career go off the rails a bit in recent years due to multiple significant injuries. However, he was able to stay healthy in 2024 in his first year with the Lions and was a key contributor.
Reader posted a career-high three sacks and was a serviceable run defender with a PFF grade of 61.0, although we’ve seen him post better marks during his career.
Reader would be a definite upgrade for Dallas upfront, where the team is slated to start disappointing former first-round pick Mazi Smith next to Osa Odighizuwa.
But there’s a huge problem with this scenario.
The Lions are highly unlikely to trade or cut Reader, even after the re-signing of Levi Onwuzurike and the draft selection of Tyleik Williams in the first round.
That’s because the status of star defensive lineman Alim McNeill for the beginning of 2025 is currently up in the air after he tore his ACL last December.
Detroit knows full well just how important it is to have depth after an injury-riddled 2024 campaign and there is just no world where they let Reader go with McNeill’s uncertain status.
MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS
Chiefs predicted to wreck Lions free-agent reunion with $11 million castoff
Blockbuster Lions trade pitch lands $21 million All-Pro edge rusher to bolster Super Bowl chances
Lions urged to add 4-time All Pro to improve depth in key area on defense
Read the full article here