Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Mapping out a successful free-agent haul

By Travis Wakeman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 8: D.J. Reader #98 of the Houston Texans walks off the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium on December 8, 2019, in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 38-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 8: D.J. Reader #98 of the Houston Texans walks off the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium on December 8, 2019, in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 38-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

D.J. Reader, DT, Houston Texans

D.J. Reader’s name is one that has been connected to the Broncos for weeks, as the team has reportedly shown interest in the former fifth-round pick of the Texans.

The Broncos are going to have a new-look defensive line next season as Shelby Harris looks more and more likely to sign elsewhere and both Adam Gotsis and Derek Wolfe will hit the open market as well.

Harris had a phenomenal 2019 season and played his way into a big contract. Reader would likely be looking for a contract in the neighborhood of what Harris will receive but he might be a better fit for Vic Fangio’s defense.

Reader is a massive defensive lineman at 6-foot-3 and 347 pounds, much bigger than Harris. But he’s incredibly athletic for his size.

A true run-stopper by nature, Reader can also get after the quarterback and not only apply pressure and rush throws but also get sacks. He had a career-high 2.5 sacks last season.

Where Reader may be most important is in eating double teams and allowing the defensive ends and linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb to do what they do best.

Think about what Fangio did as the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears with Akiem Hicks. He turned Hicks into a monster.

During the three seasons that Hicks played in Fangio’s defense, he registered 23 sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 2018. In his other five seasons, he has a total of 10.5 sacks.

Fangio could work wonders with a guy like Reader, taking him from a budding superstar into a full-fledged defensive animal.

The Broncos could easily get into a bidding war for the services of Reader as there are sure to be other teams looking to sign him, including the Texans, who would like to retain him. But if the team is unable to bring back Harris, Reader would be a heck of a consolation prize.

Home/Broncos Free Agency