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The New York Giants' stance on signing veteran nose tackle D.J. Reader was revealed after the team added another defensive tackle in free agency.
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.
Fotu’s deal 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.”
Giants are signing veteran DT Leki Fotu, source confirms. Fotu has been 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.”
My understanding is 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. https://t.co/e2PFDDqTjN
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 30, 2026
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.
This article will be updated…
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko