{"id":837644,"date":"2026-03-27T20:53:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T20:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/837644\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T20:53:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T20:53:19","slug":"colts-labeled-best-landing-spot-for-328-tackle-defender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/837644\/","title":{"rendered":"Colts Labeled Best Landing Spot for 328-Tackle Defender"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"DJ\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

DJ Reader is one of the best free agents left<\/p>\n

The Indianapolis Colts<\/a> have slowed down since the first two weeks, but can make some strong additions to the roster with the remaining $26.6 million<\/a> in cap.<\/p>\n

Indy aimed to make the defensive front 7 a priority in the offseason, adding defensive ends Arden Key<\/a> and Michael Clemons<\/a>. The edges have been answered, but the interior still needs some help.<\/p>\n

With money still available, Indy could add one of the best interior defensive linemen left in the free agent market.<\/p>\n

Colts Could Reunite a Defender and Coach\"DJ<\/p>\n

GettyColts could make a strong addition to their defensive line<\/p>\n

Lou Anarumo will enter his second season as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, after receiving some head coaching interviews, and could bring in a familiar face to the team.<\/p>\n

Pro Football Focus Mason Cameron calls the Colts the best landing spot<\/a> for Detroit Lions<\/a> free agent defensive lineman DJ Reader<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cA productivity dip in Detroit put Reader back on the market, but this time with limited suitors. Despite that, Reader remains a solid interior piece who can bolster the right defensive line,\u201d Cameron wrote. \u201cA move to reunite with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis would prove to be a strong pairing for both sides.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile playing under Anarumo in Cincinnati, Reader put together the strongest stretch of his career, earning an 82.0-plus PFF overall grade in 2022 and 2023\u2026 Adding Reader would give the Colts defense a key piece familiar with the system and bolster a defense that struggled against interior runs. Indianapolis finished the 2025 campaign ranked 27th in PFF run-defense grade (53.8) when facing A and B gap runs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The defender previously played under Anarumo with the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> from 2019 to the 2023 season. In total, the D-lineman logged 123 tackles (7 for loss) and 3 sacks with the Bengals.<\/p>\n

Reader last played for the Lions and did not live up to the expectations built for him after having a solid tenure with the Bengals. But being reunited with his former defensive playcaller could bring the defender back to that level.<\/p>\n

Indy signed cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt<\/a> earlier in free agency, another player with a history with Lou Anarumo, playing some of his best football under the defensive coordinator.<\/p>\n

Both players have familiarity with the defensive scheme and could return to their top level of play in the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Colts DC On DJ Reader\"Lou<\/p>\n

GettyLou Anarumo is entering his second season with the Colts<\/p>\n

When at Cincinnati, Lou Anarumo had some positive words for DJ Reader after the defensive line sustained an injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nobody going to replace DJ [on the field]. That\u2019s just who DJ is,\u201d Anarumo said, via Sports Illustrated<\/a>. \u201d<\/p>\n

Anarumo mentioned<\/a> that in the 2024 free agency, he would have \u201cloved\u201d for Reader to return to the squad if the Bengals could bring him back.<\/p>\n

Now, a couple of years later, DJ Reader and Lou Anarumo can be reunited with the AFC South team.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJason Garcia<\/a> Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Colts\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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