According to The Houston Chronicle, the Bills are one of three teams reportedly interested in D.J. Reader.
Reader is considered on of the better defensive tackles slated to hit the open market in the coming weeks, as the NFL’s free agency period opens on March 18. Per Spotrac‘s projection heading into free agency, Reader could land a deal with near $12 million per season.
The 25-year-old is looking to cash in as his rookie contract is expiring. He was the Texans’ fifth-round pick at the 2016 NFL Draft.
Reader has been incredibly health in his career, playing in at least 14 games in all four of his seasons. In 61 career games, he has 154 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 6.5 career stats. In 2019, he improved his pass-rushing skills, as he recorded 2.5 sacks and 13 QB hits. Prior to the season, he had 11 total career QB hits in his first three seasons combined.
Per Pro Football Focus, Reader was among the NFL’s best lineman last season. His overall grade of 85.5 was the seventh-best defensive tackle grade the analytics outlet handed out in 2019.
The Bills have already invested heavily in their defensive line, with Star Lotulelei previous signing a five-year, $50 million contract, along with investing a first-round pick in Ed Oliver at last year’s draft.
While the Bills do also have talent in Harrison Phillips in their rotation, the Bills may lose Jordan Phillips via free agency this offseason. With the rotation the Bills play along Sean McDermott’s defensive line, Reader would certainly have a place.
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