Sione Vaki DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki rushed four times for 29 yards during Thursday's preseason loss to the New York Giants. He broke off a solid 15-yard run in the effort, but perhaps his best play was a fumble recovery after a Giants defender lost the football on an interception return. A fourth-round pick out of Utah, Vaki projects to make the 53-man roster, slotting in behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs on the running back depth chart. He's an appealing option in deep dynasty leagues (and even deeper redraft formats) given that he could earn a handful of opportunities if Montgomery or Gibbs miss any time in 2024.

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki's (shoulder) shoulder injury, which forced him out of practice on Thursday, isn't a long-term concern, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters at Friday's training camp. The Lions grabbed Vaki in the fourth round of this past spring's NFL Draft to bolster their backfield depth chart, but he'll most likely be a healthy inactive on game days this fall while co-starters David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are healthy. The 23-year-old rookie tailback out of Utah should see a decent amount of run in the preseason, however, which starts up on Thursday against the hosting New York Giants in the Meadowlands. For the time being, Craig Reynolds will serve as Detroit's No. 3 back at practice.

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki was the only player from his position in attendance for practice Tuesday, but he still had a strong showing and continued to push for a spot on the 53-man roster. Specifically, he delivered a big play in 7-on-7s when he beat linebacker DaRon Gilbert on a wheel route to gain several yards. In 11-on-11s, he beat linebacker Ben Niemann to pick up 10 yards. "Vaki was one of the most impressive players from the spring," Pride of Detroit's Jeremy Reisman wrote. "I believe if he can get some of the fundamentals down when it comes to timing and pass protection, he could carve out a role on offense, albeit a relatively small one." These comments are promising, but Vaki stays off the fantasy radar in redraft leagues given that he'll be stuck behind (at least) David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.