D.J. Reader EXITS the Detroit Lions. Time for the YOUNG BUCKS to step up.

The Locked On Lions podcast breaks down the end of DJ Reader's tenure with the Detroit Lions, marking the official conclusion of his two-year stint in Detroit after the Giants signed him to a two-year, $12.5 million deal. Host Matt Derry critiques Reader’s underwhelming performance despite his $11 million annual salary, citing a significant drop in Pro Football Focus grades from Cincinnati to Detroit and a lack of impact, particularly in pass rushing. With Reader gone, the Lions are now focused on developing younger talent along the defensive line, including Tyleek Williams, Levi Onzerike, and newly drafted players like Blake Miller and Derek Moore. The episode also features a deep dive into the Lions' 2026 draft, where analyst Dalton Wasserman praises the team’s emphasis on physicality and depth, especially in the trenches, highlighting key picks like Miller at tackle and Moore as a pass rusher. The discussion extends to free agency moves, the run game overhaul with Isaiah Pacheco replacing David Montgomery, and the overall state of the NFC North, which Wasserman calls wide open. The episode closes with optimism about the Lions’ rebuild, emphasizing depth, youth, and strategic roster construction over big-name signings.