Which Detroit Lions player should be getting more hype for the 2025 NFL season?
Today, let’s designate what I think should be called the John Cominsky Award. The John Cominsky Award is given out to the player who doesn’t get enough credit or attention. On our podcast, it has essentially become a meme to say, “People aren’t talking enough about John Cominsky,” to a point where we were definitely talking about John Cominsky too much.
But there is something to be said about the coverage of this upcoming season. There have certainly been players who have been hyped a ton—take Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and many predictions of other young player breakouts (Terrion Arnold, Jack Campbell).
Who is that player waiting in the weeds to have a big impact in 2025 that isn’t being recognized enough?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Detroit Lions player isn’t being talked enough about for the 2025 season?
My answer: I’ll list off a couple.
First, it feels like D.J. Reed has become a bit of an afterthought this offseason. I understand it feels like a one-for-one replacement for Carlton Davis, so it may not seem like that exciting of an addition, but it’s literally the most Brad Holmes has spent on an external free agent in five offseasons. And while it’s way too early to call it a successful signing, Dan Campbell likes what he sees so far.
“I know this, the addition of Reed, (Avonte) Maddox — that looks good. Glad we got those guys. They’ll fit right in with us,” Campbell said on Thursday.
Sticking with the defense and the DJs, let us not forget DJ Reader. I know he was a bit of an afterthought last season, and he’s headed into his 10th NFL season, but entering this offseason unencumbered by any sort of injury rehab, Reader has a full offseason to focus on football. Given the Lions’ primary focus on defense—stopping the run and getting into favorable down-and-distance situations—Reader figures to be a critical piece of the defensive puzzle. It may not always look the most exciting on film, but having a top-tier nose tackle that can occupy blocker, free up linebackers to play downhill, and—oh yeah—help mentor your first-round pick Tyleik Williams… well, that seems pretty damn important to me.
Which Lions player do you think should be getting more hype for the 2025 season? Scroll down to the comment section and offer your thoughts.