The Denver Broncos have expressed interest in free-agent defensive lineman D.J. Reader, according to Mike Klis of 9 News. Klis notes that the Broncos made their interest known at the NFL Draft Combine and that Reader's agent, Joby Branion, has a long relationship with Denver's front office.

Reader, who has spent the first four seasons of his career with the Houston Texans, is coming off of a 2019 campaign in which he played 15 games and registered 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

The 25-year-old played his collegiate football at Clemson and was originally selected by the Texans in the fifth round (166th pick overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

He appeared in every contest and made seven starts during his rookie year, finishing with 22 tackles and a sack.

The following season, Reader was named a full-time starter, participating in 14 games and recording 47 tackles and a sack. He then played in every game in 2018 and totaled 33 tackles and a couple of sacks.

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While Reader is not a Pro-Bowl caliber defensive tackle, he has been a consistent contributor ever since he entered the NFL and should command his fair share of attention on the open market this offseason.

The Broncos won seven games in 2019, going 4-1 over their last five games after rookie quarterback Drew Lock took over. It marked the fourth straight year Denver missed the playoffs.

The club's recent slide comes on the heels of a stretch where the Broncos made the postseason five years in a row, culminating in a Super Bowl victory during the 2015-16 campaign.

Denver has ample cap room entering free agency.