Upon observing fourth-round selection Sione Vaki participate in the inaugural open rookie minicamp on Friday, it’s easy to understand why the Detroit Lions were enamoured with his play during the pre-draft phase.
During special team drills, he was quite effective. He once got to the returner before anybody else, which would have been a tackle (minicamp did not allow pads or hitting). This happened three times in a row when he was on the coverage team.
Despite having only 42 carries in his college career—having agreed to switch to offence due to injuries at the position—the safety-turned-running back had excellent footwork, agility, and balance in individual running back exercises. In addition to catching 11 catches for 203 yards and three additional touchdowns, he added 247 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.
Vaki impressed the running backs and quarterbacks during individual drills and 7-on-7 sessions with his excellent hands and route-running skills. It’s understandable why the Lions are thrilled about his offensive capabilities.
Ben Johnson, the gifted young offensive coordinator for the Lions, is thrilled to have Vaki as a weapon.
Vaki remarked, “It’s exciting to be on the offensive side of the ball,” following practice this past Friday. “I know we only got a sneak peek, a little taste of what he can actually do, but being out there catching the ball and being in his offence, man, it’s fun; it’s really fun.”
How could Vaki not be thrilled to be a part of Johnson’s Detroit offence?
Detroit had the third-best red zone touchdown efficiency in the league last season and ended second in passing, third in total net yards, third in yards per play, and fifth in running.
Johnson has a knack for scheming people into space, and Vaki is now another one of those players with a flexible skill set who can be used in a variety of ways at different positions.
How much of Vaki’s attacking potential is actually unrealized?
“That’s what I’m here to find out,” he replied. “I feel like I’m in the best spot—the best coaching spot—to learn that and see what my potential is.”
After selecting Vaki, Lions general manager Brad Holmes made a strong statement, stating that Vaki’s playmaking skills and football instincts for a player who was “not even majoring in it” particularly fascinated him.
Vaki is currently in the programme, and the more repetitions he receives on that side of the ball, the better he will get. He can also have an immediate effect as a key member of the special team.
Vaki remarked, “It’s really fun,” regarding the new kickoff regulation. “It brings a lot of life back to special teams, and then I feel like it puts my skillset out there.”