The 2026 NFL season will mark running back Sione Vaki's third year with the Detroit Lions. Even though the front office and coaching staff seem to have faith in Vaki's potential, Lions fans are almost ready to pull the plug on the 24-year-old RB following back-to-back unproductive seasons.
Nearly two years after being selected with the No. 132nd overall pick, Vaki only has 18 rushing yards on seven carries (2.6 yards per attempt) and three catches for 37 receiving yards. He isn't someone who the Lions consider when game-planning, and even though new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing loves his RBs, it's still too early to say if he can turn the ex-Utah Ute's career around.
No one would question the Lions if they're unsure if Vaki can handle being the RB3 behind Jahmyr Gibbs and offseason arrival Isiah Pacheco, who's already fitting in with Detroit like a glove. That's why there's a good chance that the underperforming rusher will learn a lot about his future in the Motor City before April is over.
Sione Vaki Could Get a Reality Check Before April Ends
Anyone with a pulse on the NFL knows that the 2026 draft is coming up in just a few weeks. While general manager Brad Holmes will be looking to address the Lions' EDGE, secondary, and offensive line concerns when the draft begins in Pittsburgh on April 23, adding another set of legs should also be a priority.
That isn't to say that the Lions should use a high draft pick on another RB. They already have Gibbs as the franchise cornerstone in the backfield, after all. It is to say, though, that drafting a rookie RB makes a ton of sense when head coach Dan Campbell is just two injuries away from the unproven Vaki becoming the RB1.
Ever since college bowl season wrapped up, the Lions have already met with various running back prospects. According to A to Z Sports' Mike Payton, some of those names include Penn State's Nicholas Singleton, Nevada's Caleb Ramseur, and Marshall dual-threat Demarcus Lacey.
That's without mentioning the undrafted options that will be available in the post-draft fallout.
Rookies Aren't the Only Threats to Vaki
There's always a chance that Holmes and Campbell would prefer for their RB3 to be more of a known commodity. That's why they could use the three weeks before the draft to sign a veteran running back, especially with some decent options still available, including: Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, and ex-Lion Ameer Abdullah.
Let's also not forget that the Lions also have three more RBs already on the roster.
Former UDFA RB Jacob Saylors will be returning after being Detroit's leading kickoff returner last season. The Jasper, TN native only saw two carries for 11 rushing yards and a first down, though, so it'd be interesting to see what he could achieve in an expanded role.
There's also fellow second-year RB Kye Robichaux, who averaged 762 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in his two years at Boston College. Jabari Small is around, too, having spent the 2025 season on the practice squad before landing a futures contract in January.
In other words, Vaki will likely know what the rest of his offseason will look like soon. If the Lions sign or draft another RB in the coming weeks, it'll be clear that they actually don't have a ton of faith in his ability to make an impact.
If they don't add competition, that'll likely mean they expect Vaki to compete with the likes of Saylors, Robichaux, and Small for the coveted RB3 spot. That's without considering the other potential options that could be added once the mid-summer releases begin.
Regardless of what the future holds, Vaki won't be able to afford any slip-ups. If he can't handle what's next, it will be time for the Lions to give turning the page serious consideration.