The Detroit Lions had one of the NFL’s most dominant seasons in 2024—even while battling through key injuries on defense. One unsung hero in the middle of all that was DJ Reader, who stepped up in a big way after Alim McNeill went down. Now, with McNeill back and rookie Tyleik Williams joining the mix, Reader could be primed for an even bigger year in 2025.
According to Pro Football Focus, Reader is Detroit’s top bounce-back candidate this season—and it’s not hard to see why. Despite being a known force as a run-stuffer, Reader saw a dip in his overall and run-defense grades last year. A heavier workload had a lot to do with that, especially with McNeill out of the lineup. But now, with a deeper rotation and fewer snaps on his plate, he’s got a chance to thrive.
Reader also feels the difference. After multiple offseasons spent recovering from surgery, he finally entered this one healthy—and he’s already seeing the benefits. “It was probably my healthiest offseason in a minute,” Reader said. “When you’re in rehab mode, you’re just rushing to get back. But when you’re healthy, you can actually work on yourself, add new tools. Old dogs have to learn new tricks.”
That mindset, combined with a stronger supporting cast on the interior line, could unlock the best version of Reader yet. He already showed flashes last season with a career-high three sacks. With better depth around him and fewer demands, he might just emerge as one of Detroit’s defensive anchors this fall.
The Lions are built to win now—and a rejuvenated DJ Reader could be a big reason why.
With Reinforcements in Place, DJ Reader Ready to Wreck Offenses Again
