Lions’ DJ Reader, Alim McNeill get no respect from NFL insiders

On Tuesday, ESPN continued their top-10 ranking series with defensive tackles. In case you missed Monday’s debut with the running back position, ESPN polled NFL coaches, executives, and scouts to name their top-10 players at each position, and Jahmyr Gibbs checked in at No. 8.

The Detroit Lions weren’t represented at all when it came to defensive tackles. That not only includes the top 10, but also the players who got an honorable mention and the list of players who received any votes. In total, the ESPN survey results listed 22 different defensive tackles who received votes from league employees. No Lions players were among them.

That means that both Alim McNeill and DJ Reader were completely overlooked by those surveyed.

For Reader, it’s just the latest chapter in an extremely underrated career. Despite Reader being one of the best run-stuffing defensive tackles—and an above average pass rusher—for the better part of a decade, the 30-year-old defender has never ranked in the top 10 of this survey and still remains without even a Pro Bowl season. In each of the two previous seasons, Reader did receive votes in this survey, but he has yet to reach the top 10.

As for McNeill, it may just be a little too early in his career. Last year was arguably his breakout season, finishing 25th among defensive tackles in pressures (per PFF) and eighth in overall PFF grade (86.8). That said, it is interesting to see other team representatives not valuing McNeill enough to rank him in the top 10 as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Something to keep in mind as Detroit likely negotiates a new deal with him.

Of course, both McNeill and Reader should benefit from playing next to each other this upcoming season, as opposing offenses will have to determine which player to double team.

“Everybody’s going to complement each other very well this year,” McNeill said this spring. “Just being able to get different one-on-one looks, because they’re going to have to double DJ in some situations, you have to or he’s gonna get the sack.”

While NFL insiders may not view either player as a top-10 (or 20) talent, it’s worth noting in their listing of the top 32 defensive tackles for 2024, PFF had both Reader (13) and McNeill (15) ranked in the top 20.