3 Detroit Lions who could lose their job to a rookie this year

1. RB Craig Reynolds

Reynolds is a player the Lions' coaching staff loves, willing and able to step into an offensive role if needed while serving as a core special teamer. He was able to stave of the threat brought on by Zonovan Knight late last preseason, and Knight is back to compete for the full training camp this year.

But the draft brought Vaki, who the Lions see as a running back first and anything else after. It's easy to see why, with what he did when pressed into duty in Utah's backfield for a couple games last year. He also impressed Lions' running backs coach Scottie Montgomery by learning a big part of Detroit's offense in the time between a meeting at the NFL Combine and a pre-draft visit to Allen Park.

The Lions clearly like what they believe Vaki brings to the table as a pure football player (to borrow from something Holmes said). He could see the field in multiple capacities (running back, kickoff/punt coverage, kickoff returner?). It's fair to assume training camp and preseason games will be a testing ground for what he can possibly do right away as a rookie, without pigeonholing him into just one thing.

The battle for the Lions' No. 3 running back spot promises to be a good one during camp and preseason contests. It may come down to one guy losing out as four backs are kept on the 53-man roster. Reynolds could be that odd-man out. Even if he he beats out Knight for a roster spot, it feels like a lock his role will be diminished in favor of Vaki.