The Houston Texans signed nose tackle Brandon Dunn to a contract extension, but they still have not come to terms on a deal with defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
The former 2016 fifth-round pick from Clemson will hit free agency on March 18 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time when the new league year kicks off. At that time, Reader may be headed to the Pacific Northwest to rejoin former Texans teammates OT Duane Brown and DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney, presuming Clowney stays with Seattle.
Pro Football Focus projects the Seahawks as a possible free agent destination for Reader.
After posting two above-average seasons by PFF grade in 2017 and 2018 when he ranked among the 35 best at his position, D.J. Reader jumped to seventh in 2019 and earned himself a massive payday. The near 350-pound interior defensive lineman proved he could play anywhere on the interior — and at a high level. Russell Wilson was adamant about wanting the Seahawks to bring in big-name players, and they did it with Jadeveon Clowney and Greg Olsen. Adding Clowney’s former teammate D.J. Reader to replace Jarran Reed would be another step toward that.
Reader’s 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and six tackles for loss in 15 games were good enough to consider him as a Pro Bowl alternate.
If the Texans can’t come to terms with Reader, it does leave the organization with another hole they have to fill in either free agency or the draft. Reader already has enough teammates in Houston who would rather see him continue his NFL career with his original draft team rather than join a couple ex-teammates in the NFC West.
“D.J. is definitely in that category of smart, tough, and dependable,” coach Bill O’Brien said of Reader on Jan. 13. “He’s been a really good player for us ever since the day he walked in here. So, we’re going to sit down with D.J., we’re going to talk and we’re going to try to do what’s best for both sides. We’ll see where that goes.”
Texans fans and Reader’s current teammates are hopeful that leads to the 6-3, 347-pounder staying in Houston, not going to Seattle.
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