With the Dallas Cowboys' poor defensive performance last year, GM Jerry Jones has a challenge ahead as the draft approaches. NFL analyst Kristopher Knox has chimed in with a free agent option.

On Saturday, the Bleacher Report posted an article by Knox in which he named defensive tackle D.J. Reader the "best fit" for the Cowboys.

Reader, a veteran of the sport, has been in the league since 2016 and is a high-end starter.

"Reader would be a great addition for the Dallas Cowboys, who traded away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas. He could serve as a run-stuffing specialist behind Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams to help boost a defense that allowed 4.7 yards per carry in 2025," read Knox's article.

Throughout his career, Reader has made more than 300 tackles (171 solo), 12.5 sacks, and nine passes defended.

The defensive tackle has stuffed a running back 36 times in his career, and 33 of those times it has been for a loss of yardage. This is particularly good when you think about how bad the Dallas defense was at stopping the run last season. 

In 2025, the Cowboys allowed an NFL-high 511 points, plum last in the NFL. The Cowboys' defensive unit was no good against the run, either allowing an average of 4.7 yards per carry. 

The defensive tackle played through a back injury last season and still played all 17 games, and has played at least 14 games in the previous four out of five seasons.

This makes Reader not only a veteran but also a durable defender, which makes a lot of sense for Jones and defensive coordinator Christian Parker. 

What Has Reader's Former Coach Said About Him?

D.J. Reader spent a lot of time in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the Bengals. During his time there, under head coach Zac Taylor, the defensive tackle helped lead the team to the Super Bowl in 2022. 

The Bengals did not come out successful. Reader spent one more season after that with the Bengals and then moved on to the Lions.

“He was a great leader for us and tremendous player,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “Everything that we wanted our players to be about and our leaders to be about."

Taylor's words came in right around the time when Reader made his move to the Detroit Lions. At the time, Terrell Williams was still the Lions' defensive coordinator.

"Was consistent with his effort and performance and had made some critical plays for us in some critical games that we’ll always remember. I wish DJ the best of luck, and I know Terrell Williams will take good care of him,” Taylor said.

Reader played two seasons with the Lions and is looking for his next home. If Jones takes Knox's advice, then the Cowboys can have a strong defensive unit with him on the team.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Sayantan Gayen