The Lions might want to start considering trying one of their recent draft picks at his old position this summer
Detroit Lions might want to rethink how they use one of their recent draft picks, with the possibility of moving him back to his old position this summer as roster uncertainty opens an unexpected opportunity.
Back in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions traded up with the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round to select a safety out of Utah, a safety who was considered to be one of the top 10 safeties in this draft class. The thing is, this guy has never played safety in the NFL. Maybe it’s time to change that.
The Lions might be wise to try Sione Vaki at safety this summer.
The Lions drafted Vaki to be a running back for them and also be a special teams ace. He’s aced the latter—pun very much intended there. But as far as being a running back, he is in a very unwinnable situation.
In his first two seasons, he sat behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and the only time he got to carry the ball was when the Lions were either up big, down big, or in the preseason. Now he has to find the carries behind Gibbs and the new Lions’ running back, Isiah Pacheco.
Short of showing up and outperforming Pacheco, which is possible, it seems like the only thing that is in the cards for Vaki is, once again, some preseason carries and then coming in when the Lions are up big or down big.
The Lions actually have some potential issues at safety right now with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Both could potentially miss the start of camp and maybe even the start of the season. While they’re set there for starters with those guys out, here’s the chance to get him some real reps at safety and see what he can do there in the NFL. It’s a chance for him to be a contributor outside of just one phase.
That one phase, being special teams, is the phase that is going to land him on the 53-man roster this year. There’s a career that could be had there for him. But he has a chance to offer so much more to this team. Even if it’s checking in at safety here and there and playing a little running back too, the Lions have to start taking advantage of his versatility.
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