Andrew Buller-Russ
When the New York Giants were considering a trade to ship Dexter Lawrence out of town, the first question that came to mind was how they would replace him. After all, this was a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, a player who new head coach John Harbaugh described not as a franchise cornerstone but more of a “middle stone.”
Harbaugh never even got to coach the monstrous interior defender, but he knew the type of impact the 6-foot-4, 340-pound player could have. Even when the Giants traded Lawrence for the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, there was no immediate replacement available in that draft range. It meant that the Giants may have to get creative in their attempt to patch up the new hole in their defense.
On Tuesday, the Giants took a step toward finding a solution for Lawrence’s departure by signing defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Giants have signed Reader to a two-year, $12.5 million contract. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound defender is now 31, but he’s started 128 out of 137 games across his 10-year career.
The truth is, there is no single replacement for a player of Lawrence’s caliber. But players like Reader can help make up for the loss. The Giants also recently signed veteran DT Shelby Harris. Both will try to shore up the Giants’ run defense in 2026, but chances are the Giants will continue hunting for a long-term fix.
Related: New York Giants Could Consider Trading $30 Million Player
