The Dallas Cowboys 2025 offseason started out with false hope from the hiring of Brian Schottheimer. Fans were unhappy at Jerry Jones' move, calling him out for simply settling to take the easy route.
Since then, the Cowboys have answered the call from fans to dive into the free agency waters. Since the controversial signing of George Pickens, the media has given flowers to the Cowboys, including the love of one always critical Cowboy legend. Now, Dallas has a chance to look like an even more attractable team.
Pro Football Focus writer Mason Cameron circled one final offseason every NFC team should make and he thinks Dallas should sign or trade for a "run-stuffing interior defender, specifically Lions veteran D.J. Reader.
Cowboys trading for or signing D.J. Reader would be a home run move
"Former first-rounder Mazi Smith endured a particularly tough 2024 campaign. He posted an abysmal 34.7 PFF overall grade, marking his second consecutive season of earning a sub-48.0 grade. Although Dallas signed Solomon Thomas in free agency, that doesn’t profile as the answer to the Cowboys’ 30th-ranked run-defense grade (48.0)."
"Dallas hasn’t been afraid to leverage future draft capital this offseason and should consider monitoring another opportunity. The Lions’ D.J. Reader has been considered a cut candidate and could fit in nicely with the Cowboys, whether through a trade or a post-release signing. Reader boasts a 91st-percentile PFF run-defense grade over the past three seasons."
With Mazi Smith struggling to make the impact expected of a first-round pick, the Cowboys may regret starting him at the nose tackle position. Smith has very little trade value, but as Cameron notes, the front office has been willing to part with future draft capital for impact vets.
Reader is a reliable starting veteran in the NFL who has helped out Cincinnati and Detroit. He recorded 23 tackles, three sacks, 20 pressures and 13 defensive stops. Not earth-shattering numbers by any stretch, but he is the ideal presence the defense needs next to Osa Odighizuwa, who's one of the best pass-rushing DTs in football.
The Lions seem like they're putting more focus on rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams. It's very possible they release Reader this offseason to save cap room. Either way, he feels like the Cowboys' best last chance to bolster their middling run defense.