Defensive tackle DJ Reader is looking like the next major domino to fall for the Cincinnati Bengals' free agency plans. 

As first reported by Malik Wright of The Wright Way Network, Reader is scheduled to visit with the Detroit Lions. The visit is scheduled for Thursday, and the Bengals need to act in some way before then.

Update : DJ Reader is expected to visit Detroit Lions

— Malik Wright (@Wrightreportt) March 13, 2024

Reader, who's spent the previous four years with the Bengals, has developed into one of the better interior defensive linemen in the NFL. As dominant as he's been on the field as a run defender, he's been equally valuable as a locker room leader and veteran catalyst towards the defensive turnaround in Cincinnati.

For all these reasons, the Bengals would love to retain Reader, which wasn't a given entering the offseason. He's turning 30 this year and is currently rehabbing his second torn quad in four years. Older players with questionable medicals are typically the players the Bengals avoid giving large deals to, but they're right in the thick of the pursuit for Reader.

Now that Reader is officially exploring options elsewhere, it's time for the Bengals to do the same.  

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Bengals need to address defensive tackle as soon as possible

The Bengals have given Reader an offer to consider. Clearly, it's not an offer he deems worth taking without first seeing what else is out there for him.

The issue here is his injury and ongoing recovery. 

Clubs like the Lions aren't going to sign him to a major contract without seeing him in person first and having him checked out by their medical staff. It's too big of a decision to leave that to chance. 

The Chicago Bears found this out the hard way when they agreed to terms with former Bengals Larry Ogunjobi on a three-year deal in 2022. Ogunjobi, who suffered a knee injury two months prior during the Bengals' playoff run to the Super Bowl, failed his physical not long after the contract was reported. The Bears had to pivot right away and lost out on a top target.

Detroit and other teams vying for Reader will want to avoid that scenario by checking him out first. Cincinnati knows better than any team how Reader's recovery is going.

"Are we talking to him? We are talking to him," Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said of Reader at the NFL Scouting Combine. "He's in the building every day, rehabbing, trying to get trying to get himself in position to to have another successful season. He's been through this injury before on the other side. So we think he's going to get through it and be just fine. But we're talking to him like we are a lot of our UFAs, and seeing if there's an opportunity to get him signed back."

The Bengals know where Reader's at and have a price for him. While other clubs determine which price is best for them, the folks at Paycor Stadium need to start pivoting to other options.

Free agency at the defensive tackle spot has exploded. Justin Madubuike ($24.5 million AAV), Christian Wilkins ($27.5 million AAV), and Chris Jones ($31.75 million AAV) broke the bank initially, and it's trickled down to the next tier with Grover Stewart ($13 million AAV), Justin Jones ($10,388,333 million AAV), and Raekwon Davis ($7.5 million AAV).

A lot of numbers that say the same thing: the market has BOOMED. And the Bengals have watched it from the sidelines.

There's a very slim chance the Bengals can escape free agency feeling good about the defensive tackle position without spending more than they likely anticipated. Luckily, there are still several quality options remaining in Teair Tart, Sheldon Rankins, Poona Ford, and Tim Settle. 

Replacing Reader with a true equal at nose tackle is impossible. He was one-of-one in this year's class and losing him will create an inevitable vacancy. The only way to prevent it from turning into a catastrophe is throwing as much quality at the position as possible. 

That has to happen soon before options dry up.

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