Is there still a use for Sione Vaki on this Detroit Lions roster?
It all depends on what he shows to the teams' coaching staff this offseason, according to Dan Campbell. Simple enough...if he wasn't becoming an afterthought in a suddenly front-heavy running back room. His ability to really hammer the intangibles home would help him with making this roster by the start of the season. If he can't, then his role with the team becomes a whole lot murkier.
Campbell told reporters ahead of the first day of mandatory minicamp regarding Vaki:
"He's another guy where, you just watch, pound for pound, he’s one of our best athletes. He’s strong, he’s quick. There’s things about him. But, the running back position is a little raw. He hasn’t played it all that much. Protection, that’s something he can do, what else can he do out of the backfield, if he proves that, then, yeah. We want to move the football and find a way to win. If he helps us do that, we’re going to find a way to put him on the field."
Vaki must find a way to put himself on the field in the offseason
After signing Isiah Pacheco in free agency, the Lions indirectly pushed Vaki down the depth chart. Then, they brought in Greg Dortch for their special teams unit, further ostracizing Vaki on one of the very few spots on this roster where he could potentially find a fit.
Jacob Saylors, Tom Kennedy, and Dortch all figure to be ahead of him as kick returners, especially as the former two in that order had really solid moments for the special teams unit in 2025. Vaki, on special teams, has knotted 94 yards on four total attempts as a returner.
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As Campbell mentioned, if Vaki can provide decent enough blocking and can utilize his athleticism to provide some offense to Detroit in spurts, he has value. But, he is not a running back - he's a former safety converted into a running back, who might actually be a better investment as a safety for Detroit considering their injuries in that room.
With a lot of huge cap decisions coming up for the Lions - Jahmyr Gibbs' impending extension, and the same expected for Sam LaPorta and/or Brian Branch - Vaki could make for an obvious cut candidate later this summer. Running back and special teams are not units that the Lions are wanton for, so Vaki has to really stand out to show what his value could be to this unit.
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