Grading Lions’ selection of Sione Vaki

Grading the Detroit Lions’ selection of University of Utah S/RB Sione Vaki in the 2024 NFL Draft.

There wasn’t just one trade on Saturday in the 2024 NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions. A few minutes after trading for a fourth-round pick from the New York Jets, the Lions moved up into the fourth again with a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles to select running back/ safety Sione Vaki. Vaki has two positions listed because he played both in college, with experience at wide receiver, special teams, and even quarterback. The Lions traded their fifth-round pick (164), sixth-round pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (201), and a 2025 fourth-round pick, for the fourth-round pick (132) used on Vaki, and sixth-round pick (210).

Vaki said that when he visited the Lions, he met with the offensive coaches, and nobody on the defensive side. With that, it’s safe to assume that Vaki will play at running back on the team. I will focus on both defense and offense here, just in case the team decides that running back won’t be his only role with the team.

For the defensive side, Vaki could provide depth at safety—currently a big position of need. There are only three safeties on the roster right now. In his two years at Utah, Vaki had 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five pass deflections, two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. He was also on the first-team All-Pac-12 team in 2023 as a defensive and special teams player.

For the offensive side of the ball, Vaki had 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns last season. But that isn’t all, he also had 11 catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns last season, with one kick return for 16 yards. Vaki is athletic and despite him running a 4.62 40-yard dash, he can still be explosive when he has it in his hands.

The Lions have their starting and backup running back positions figured out in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, but the third-string spot has had some competition the past few years with Craig Reynolds coming out on top both times. Vaki is a real threat to take the job from Reynolds, and with his experience on defense and taking on players head-on, he has could be headed to some fullback reps, as well. Undoubtedly, the Lions view him as an asset on special teams.

He wouldn’t be your traditional type of fullback if he ends up in that position. He can block some, but he can run and come out of the backfield as a receiver, making him a difficult matchup player. The Lions offense has had plenty of weapons already, and now there is a chance the Lions could have Montgomery, Gibbs, and Vaki out on the field at the same time, alongside wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Talk about pick your poison and a difficult offense to try and slow down.

For the first time in this year’s draft, the Lions took a player at a position that wasn’t in the need category (unless he plays on defense). Vaki’s versatility though gives him plenty of spots to play in, whether that is at running back, fullback, special teams, wide receiver, or safety. Detroit loves players who can be used in multiple positions and spots, and Vaki can do that easily.

As for the trade value, giving up a future fourth-round pick and a fifth-rounder to move up into the fourth and only fall nine spots in the sixth round is good value. With how many roles Vaki can fill, it’s worth it.

Grade: B