The Detroit Lions open training camp in less than a week, and one of the more compelling roster battles to watch involves the running back 3 spot.

Jahmyr Gibbs and Isaiah Pacheco are locked in as Detroit’s top two running backs. Gibbs is the Lions’ undisputed RB1, and Pacheco was one of the team’s bigger free agent signings. Nobody in this group is threatening either of them. But the RB3 role carries weight because of what it demands beyond carrying the football. If the Gibbs-David Montgomery model from previous seasons tells us anything, the third running back doesn’t get many offensive snaps. That makes the competition about one thing: how much can you do for this team outside of the backfield?

Sione Vaki is the favorite, and it’s because of special teams

I get it. A lot of people already have Sione Vaki penciled in as the RB3. And honestly, they’re probably right. But you have to understand the reason why. It’s not because of what he does as a running back. If you go back and watch all of the Lions’ special teams film from last season, Vaki shows up everywhere. He’s a tackle machine on coverage units, and he’s one of the best special teams players in the league.

I’ve brought this up a million times, but I still think the Lions should see what Vaki has at safety. I don’t think he’s a running back in the NFL, and that’s fine. But before he gets too old, Detroit might want to explore that. I don’t think they will. They’re going to keep him at running back and on that special teams role. Frankly, that might be enough to guarantee him a roster spot no matter what.

If he adds kick return ability on top of what he already provides as a tackler and coverage player, it makes him nearly untouchable on this roster.

Jacob Saylors brings return game value

Jacob Saylors was a productive running back in the UFL before joining the Lions last season as their kick returner. He didn’t bust out any huge plays, but he was a fine returner. Detroit had one of the better starting field position marks in the NFL last season, and Saylors contributed to that.

The challenge for Saylors is competition. The Lions might consider Tom Kennedy or Dominic Lovett for kick return duties. Vaki could get some looks there too. Saylors needs to prove he can give the Lions more than one thing, because roster spots at running back are tight.

Jabari Small has something to prove

To be honest, I’m a bit surprised the Lions brought Jabari Small back. We didn’t see a whole lot from him last season. What we did see looked like a training camp running back and a preseason running back. Nothing from his reps last year made you say this guy is going to earn a 53-man roster spot.

That said, I don’t think the RB3 spot is set in stone for anyone. If Small comes out this summer and shows what he can do on special teams, blows things up in the preseason, and earns some first- or second-team reps, you never know.

Kai Robichaux is the wild card

We genuinely don’t know what Robichaux looks like at this level. He got hurt early in camp last year, missed the entire season, and the Lions are giving the undrafted free agent another shot because they clearly felt he had something worth developing. He played well in college. Now he has a chance to outshine Vaki, Small, and Sailors. If he can do it, he’d be the kind of hidden gem that everybody loves finding during camp.

The pick

If I have to choose who wins this battle right now, I’m going with Vaki. He’s such a good special teams player, and that makes a world of difference for a roster spot at this position. Good special teams contributors are valued in Detroit, and Vaki is one of the best in the league at it. He’s going to be locked in for the Lions for a while.

But I still think they should make him a safety.

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