ScoutIndex

NYG NYG

DJ Reader

DT

A 5th-round pick (166th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Clemson, DJ Reader has built an NFL career since. Now with NYG, he's in his 11th NFL season. Last season's 36.9 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 24th percentile among DEFs, below average for the position.

Size

6'3", 335#

College

Clemson

Draft

Rd 5, 166th overall (2016)

Seasons

2016–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
45.3

47th percentile among DEFs

6 games

Splash plays×0.15-0.34
Pass rush×0.3-0.34
Ball skills×0.25-0.61
Run defense×0.2-0.03
Availability×0.1+1.07

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026NYG45.36
2025DET36.913
2024DET52.413
2023CIN4513
2022CIN47.89
2021CIN49.415
2020CIN47.35
2019HOU54.115
2018HOU4914
2017HOU42.914
2016HOU41.715

Career profile

Across 11 NFL seasons on file, DJ Reader has played in 132 regular-season games, playing for 4 teams: HOU (2016–2019), CIN (2020–2023), DET (2024–2025), NYG (2026).

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2019: a 54.1, in the 64th percentile among DEFs that year.

2026 splits

regular season

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1DAL—41.2
Week 2LAR—41.6
Week 3TEN—40.9
Week 4ARI—40.4
Week 5WAS—41.1
Week 6NO—60.9

DJ Reader — common questions

What position does DJ Reader play?
DJ Reader is listed as a DT.
Which teams has DJ Reader played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), DJ Reader has played for HOU (2016–2019), CIN (2020–2023), DET (2024–2025), NYG (2026).
Where did DJ Reader go to college?
DJ Reader played college football at Clemson.
When was DJ Reader drafted?
DJ Reader was selected in round 5, 166th overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has DJ Reader scored?
DJ Reader has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is DJ Reader's ScoutIndex Rating?
DJ Reader rated 45.3 for 2026, the 47th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 5, 2016

Also from Clemson