Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes completed his third trade of the 2024 NFL draft, marking his second on Day 3, to secure Utah safety Sione Vaki with the 132nd overall pick in the fourth round.
- In the exchange, Holmes traded Picks 164 and 201 along with a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to acquire Picks 132 and 210 in the sixth round of the current draft. This move adds Vaki to the team’s reconstructed defensive backfield, following the selection of cornerback Terrion Arnold in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw at Pick 61 in the second round.
Holmes remained active on the draft’s final day, executing two trades within the first two hours. He initially moved up to select massive British Columbia offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, shortly before finalizing the deal with the Philadelphia Eagles for Vaki.
Vaki’s versatility is notable, having showcased skills on both offense and defense, with some analysts considering him a potential two-way player. Pro Football Focus acknowledges his potential as a running back, stating, “If he fully committed to playing running back in the NFL, he has the physical gifts, athletic ability, and playmaker’s vision to be a contributing player out of the backfield.”
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 208 pounds, Vaki possesses power and explosiveness, regardless of his position. He boasts impressive testing results, including a 39.5-inch vertical jump and a 4.62-second 40-yard dash. Vaki recorded a 7.94 Relative Athletic Score as a safety and a 7.93 as a running back.
