The Detroit Lions are far from wanting with their current running back room. Jahmyr Gibbs spearheads the group, with David Montgomery adding a ridiculous punch at RB2 right behind him. Of course, things have not gone either running back's way this year thanks to the bad play of the Lions' offensive line in 2025.
One running back on the roster that has not even really been allowed to do much on the field this year is Sione Vaki, the Lions' 4th-round pick from 2024. While he looked primed to become one of the Lions' more consistent kick and punt returners, injuries have held him back from developing further with Detroit this season.
With the emergence of Tom Kennedy as a legitimate threat as a kick returner, as well as the team's heavy reliance on Jacob Saylors when Kennedy wasn't available, it feels crystal clear that Vaki is likely suiting up for the Lions for the last time in Week 18.
Vaki is the odd man out in Lions' running back room
Assuming the team brings Kennedy back on a new contract in 2026, Vaki feels like a cut candidate headed into 2026. According to Over the Cap, the Lions can save $942,823 towards their cap by cutting him before June 1, and $1,075,000 if they cut him after that date.
On the year, Vaki has returned just two kickoffs for 39 total yards, with his longest going for just 29 yards. He's also dealt with numerous injuries throughout the season involving his hamstring, groin, ankle, and thumb over the last two years of his career. As such, he's only played in 10 games this year.
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If there was a time for him to breakout, just as Kennedy has this season, it was in 2025. Now, with the Lions likely looking to see where they can trim on the margins of their roster ahead of the draft in order to get more cash to work with for key extensions, Vaki feels like the obvious odd man out.
To call him a draft bust feels a little exaggerative, but there's no better way to describe his status as a bit of a wasted 4th rounder. He has value as a special teams player, but Detroit likely doesn't need to invest much further in his services if they can lock down Kennedy as their returner, along with Kalif Raymond.