Lions trade up AGAIN, draft Sione Vaki: Best reactions to Round 4 pick

Mike Moraitis

Lions trade up AGAIN, draft Sione Vaki: Best reactions to Round 4 pick image

The Detroit Lions have done it once again, with the team trading up for a second time in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. This time around, Detroit selected Utah running back/safety, Sione Vaki.

Here are the trade details before we get to more on the player: the Lions get pick Nos. 132 (the pick they used on Vaki) and 210 (seventh round), and Detroit sends pick Nos. 164, 201 and a 2025 fourth-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vaki is yet another player the Lions had a 30 visit with. He's played mostly safety in college but also saw some touches at running back in 2023. The official draft announcement from the league listed him at running back but the Lions listed him as a safety.

RELATED: Will Lions play Vaki at RB or safety?

Here's more on Vaki — who sounds very much like a Dan Campbell guy — per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:

Gamer who does whatever is necessary to help his team win. Vaki carries a thick frame with good upper-body power and heavy hands. He took on carries to help his team when it was stung by injuries, but he’s not an NFL running back. He’s a conscientious tackler who is careful to center up and launch his attack only when he’s in realistic striking position. He is overmatched in coverage and struggles when plays roll downfield. Vaki’s below-average athletic traits and lack of positional fit might create a limited path forward.

Here are some of the best reactions to the pick, including some that hint that the Lions might use Vaki at running back and not safety:

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.