The New York Giants’ stance on signing free agent natural nose tackle D.J. Reader to replace All-Pro Dexter Lawrence II has been revealed after the team signed two defensive tackles on Wednesday, April 29, including a six-year veteran of four teams.
Room on the depth chart was made for 27-year-old Leki Fotu, late on Wednesday. Earlier, the Giants also acquired 11-year pro Shelby Harris.
The deal for ex-Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans and New York Jets lineman Fotu was confirmed by NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton. He referred to the former fourth-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals as “a career rotational player up front, so expectation is that he’ll compete for a reserve spot as NYG seek to upgrade the entire unit.”
That last note about Fotu’s arrival being more about boosting strength in depth is important. Particularly how it relates to the Giants still being in the market for Reader.
Big Blue’s remaining level of interest in the 6-foot-3, 330-pounder was revealed by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. He reported “the #Giants are still very much in the mix for DT DJ Reader…. But, they have real competition for him. The signings of Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu today won’t have an impact on the Giants’ pursuit of Reader.”
Reader remains a logical fit to help the Giants move on from Lawrence, but the slew of recent moves at the position have to cast some doubt on their commitment to a deal.
Particularly when there is viable competition for Reader’s signature from a familiar source.
Leki Fotu Part of Mass Reload at Defensive Tackle
Fotu is the sixth new addition by the Giants at defensive tackle this offseason. He’s part of the veteran contingent of this group, joining Harris and a “grown-man strong” former member of the New England Patriots.
The rookie trio that rounds out the list of newcomers is headlined by 2026 NFL draft sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis. He’s joined by undrafted free agents Ben Barten and Anquin Barnes.
Not every member of this group will make the final roster. A late-round pick, three players who didn’t hear their names called during the draft, and three more who are journeymen who’ve seen a practice squad or two, isn’t exactly a marquee collective.
Finding elite talent at this stage of the offseason isn’t easy, but the Giants need more than numbers to replace the impact of Lawrence. The latter was a true game-wrecker before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th-overall pick that became offensive lineman Francis ‘Sisi’ Mauigoa.
A former Giants Super Bowl winner is already expecting dominance from Mauigoa, but the team still needs a tone-setter on the other side of the trenches.
Reader, in his own way, can provide what the Giants are missing.
D.J. Reader Still a Fit for Giants
Signing Reader still makes sense for the team that ranked last in run defense last season. The Giants gave up 5.3 yards per carry in 2025, so they need a double-team magnet who can keep linebackers like top draft pick Arvell Reese clean to get downhill and stuff the run.
Reader has been performing that necessary, but unfashionable role admirably for years. Ever since he entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Texans back in 2016.
Subsequent successful tours with the Bengals and Detroit Lions only underlined Reader’s status as an invaluable niche player for a defensive front seven.
That value is why the Giants aren’t the only ones keen on the 31-year-old. Head coach John Harbaugh’s former team the Baltimore Ravens have also been linked to a deal.
The Ravens have as great a need for help along the interior as the Giants, so the arrival of 6-foot-5, 317-pound Fotu represents further insurance against missing out on Reader.
Giants D.J. Reader Stance Revealed After 2nd Veteran DT Signing