The New York Giants dealt three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals over the weekend, and even though they got ample compensation in return (the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft), the move left a gaping hole in the middle of their defense.
The Giants will be looking to backfill that void via every means available to them, the draft, free agency, and, yes, even another trade.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post expects the Giants to sign veteran D.J. Reader, who recently visited the team, following the draft to protect the compensatory pick formula.
The 31-year-old Reader is a solid veteran presence that can be a rotational piece up front on defense. He's not a one-for-one replacement for Lawrence, if there even is one. Reader is a reliable source. In his career, he has averaged nearly 60 percent of the defensive snaps. In his last two seasons with Detroit, he averaged 53 percent. The Giants will take that.
The draft has some players that Giants general manager Joe Schoen and his staff have shown some interest in, but none that would warrant them using one of their two Top 10 picks on.
More from Schwartz:
Miller and Hunter have been in on top-30 visits with the Giants, as have Woods, Tyre West (Tennessee), and Chris McClellan (Missouri).
Knowing they have Reader in the wings could affect how and where they draft a rookie this week, but many experts are saying they can't wait any later than Round 4.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants expected to sign D.J. Reader after 2026 NFL draft
