Just about exactly two years ago, the Detroit Lions' high waiver priority worked to their advantage as seven other teams put in a claim on defensive lineman John Cominsky. He also became a key piece of the defensive line that season, registering four sacks over 556 snaps as he played the second half of the season with a club on his hand after having thumb surgery.
Cominsky was easy to re-sign in 2023, and he was brought back on a two-year deal.
Cominsky played in 16 games (11 starts) last season, but his production fell two sacks and 29 pressures (44 pressures in 2022). He was one of few potential offseason cut candidates for the Lions, but he agreed to take a pay reduction.
Cominsky might be tabbed as an edge rusher by some, but he is a versatile defensive lineman able to play inside or out on the edge. Head coach Dan Campbell, via SI.com, has lauded Cominsky's versatility.
"He handles a lot of jobs for us. He handles the big end. He can play three-technique inside. He's really one of the keys for us setting up our rush game when we get in third down and some of those things. "He's physical, he's got push, he can separate and he can play the run. He's a little bit of the unsung hero for us on the D-line."
John Cominsky could find himself on the trade block before the season
Cominsky has competition for snaps across any role he fills across the Lions' defensive front. Namely, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, rookie Mehki Wingo and Mathieu Betts. Not that he'll be outright cut, but his role could be small and there will be teams on the lookout for defensive line depth.
Along that line, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report has Cominsky as the one player the Lions should consider trading before the 2024 season. Trading someone of Cominsky's ilk is not all that exciting, but Davenport landed on the notable bottom line.
"NFL clubs are always looking for help on the defensive front, and one could offer up some draft capital for Cominsky."
Cominsky should not be written off in the competition for roles on the Lions' defensive line, and he is certainly a Dan Campbell kind of player who won't be easily displaced. But if he's buried on the depth chart enough as the preseason winds down and final cuts near, he could be a tradeable asset for a team that doesn't have many players it would deal away.