Giants Poaching D.J. Reader While Lions Fans Wonder What Could Have Been
The New York Giants are reportedly expected to sign defensive tackle D.J. Reader following the draft, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. The timing isn’t a coincidence.
Schwartz mentions the Giants are playing the compensatory pick game here, waiting until after the draft to ink Reader so it helps them in the compensatory pick formula. Smart move by New York, which is exactly the kind of front office maneuvering that makes you wonder if teams like Detroit are even thinking three steps ahead anymore.
Reader has been sitting out there in free agency while teams figure out their cap situations and draft priorities. The defensive tackle brings legitimate ability to whoever signs him.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Here’s another quality defensive lineman heading somewhere else while we’re still trying to figure out if our interior defensive line can handle a full season. The Giants get to add a proven commodity without sacrificing their compensatory pick positioning.
It’s the kind of calculated patience that separates teams who consistently build rosters from teams who scramble to fill holes every March. Reader won’t be cheap, but the timing will help them in the comp pick formula.
Should Lions fans be upset we didn’t make a play for Reader, or are we finally learning to trust the process in Allen Park? Drop your take below.
This is exactly what I’m talking about. We keep saying we’re building smart but then other teams pull off moves like this and we’re left wondering why we didn’t think of it. The Giants aren’t even that good and they’re out here playing 4D chess with the compensatory picks.
Honestly I think we’re fine. If Brad and the front office didn’t go hard for Reader, there’s probably a reason. Not every available defensive lineman is the one we need right now. Let’s see what we do with our own draft picks first before we panic.
I’ve been watching this team too long to get worked up about one free agent signing. The Giants have always been better at the business side of football than we have, that’s just how it’s always been. What matters is if we can put it together on the field when it counts.