Lions swing another trade, snag moldable two-way player Sione Vaki from Utah

Allen Park — Lions general manager Brad Holmes stayed busy Saturday afternoon, making a second trade within a half hour to add another fourth-round pick on the third and final day of the NFL Draft.

Shipping picks 164, 201 and a future fourth-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Lions moved up to pick No. 132 to snag Utah's Sione Vaki.

One of college football's most uniquely versatile players, the 5-foot-11, 210-pounder racked up 51 tackles (8½ for loss), two sacks and an interception last season, lining up all over the field as a safety. But he also saw playing time at running back and receiver, while getting extensive reps on special teams.

"We thought he was one of the better special teams in this entire draft, all four phases of special teams, especially with some of the changes that are coming out (to kickoffs)," Holmes said. 

The initial plan, beyond special teams, is for the Lions is to tap into Vaki's offensive potential. When he took an official pre-draft visit with the team weeks before the draft, he met with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery.

"We know he can play safety, but we're so intrigued by the running back stuff," Holmes said.

Vaki registered just 42 carries and 11 receptions for the Utes last season, but he flashed some explosive potential out of the backfield. Against Cal, he racked up 158 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. He followed that up with a five-catch, 149-yard, two-score performance against USC the next week.

He believes his experience playing on both sides of the ball gives him a better understanding of the game. He also views his relative inexperience on offense as an asset to his new team.

"My experience hasn't been a lot, but my willing to be able to learn, to put my head down and learn from the vets in the room, I'm going to be coming in with that attitude," Vaki said. "I feel like it gives me a lot of upside. The coaches get to mold me into whatever they want me to be."

On special teams, Vaki worked on both coverage and return units during his two seasons at Utah. He noted he was also on the depth chart as both a kickoff and punt returner.

"I'm all about special teams," Vaki said. "When it comes to that, that's where I earn my stripes and where I plan to earn my stripes as well there in Detroit. … I'm here to be a resource. I think my biggest thing is being available. Wherever the organization needs me, that's where I'm going to be. If they need me passing out waters to the vets, that's what I'm going to do."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers