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Detroit Lions draft versatile Sione Vaki out of Utah in fourth round

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions selected versatile Sione Vaki after moving up in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. Earlier in the round, they nabbed OL Giovanni Manu.

Vaki played running back, safety and special teams at Utah. So an NFL position for him is not clearly defined.

“When I visited the Lions my initial thought was to come in and be wherever the coaches, wherever the organization wanted me to be. It was for the offensive side of the ball so wherever they need me I’m ready to go,’’ said Vaki who ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

He said his pre-draft process was nerve-wracking because teams viewed him differently. He said it benefits him knowing how to play both sides of the ball.

At Utah, Vaki also played special teams which is a benefit for a fourth-round player.

“I’m all about special teams,’’ said Vaki, the youngest of 11 children.

Last season he was first-team All-Pac 12 Conference and a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the year and the Paul Hornung Award for most versatile player. He started 12 games (42 carries, 317 yards, 2 TDs rushing; 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss with 2 sacks, INT, 2 pass break-ups). He played in all 14 games in 2022. In 2020-21 he served a two-year Latter Day Saints mission in Tonga.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein on Vaki: “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.’’

He projected Vaki as a sixth-round pick.

“I’m just grateful to be coming to the Motor City and ready to get started whenever,’’ Vaki said.

Detroit Lions draft Giovanni Manu, a Polynesian offensive tackle inspired by Penei Sewell

ALLEN PARK — It’s possible the Lions could have found another Penei Sewell type player when they moved up in the fourth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft to select offensive lineman Giovanni Manu. He’s the first player drafted in the NFL from the University of British Columbia.

Manu, who is 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, was considered one of the more interesting draft prospects since he has never played football in the United States.

He was born and raised in Tonga which is a short plane ride away from Samoa, the home of Sewell.

“I look up to Penei a lot, I do study a lot of his film. I do think he’s the best tackle in the league right now,’’ Manu said on a conference call on Saturday. “He moves so fluid for how big he is. He’s an inspiration to the Polynesian community.’’

Manu said he watched Sewell’s draft process and remembers him saying that any Polynesian kids who want to make it to the NFL can do so if they put their minds to it.

“I was in my second year of college when he said that and I remember that it really motivated me,’’ Manu said. “I told myself if one of my Polynesian brothers can make it there’s no reason I can’t do it either. He’s a true inspiration to Samoa and the whole Polynesian community. It (will be) great to play with a guy to soak up as much information and technique from him.’’

Manu moved to British Columbia from Tonga, where he played rugby, when he was 11 to get a better education and have a better chance at a good life.

He was introduced to football via a two-minute highlight reel of Ray Lewis at work and started playing in 10th grade.

His impressive Pro Day included a 4.96 40-yard dash and a 33.5-inch vertical. He made a visit to the Lions and was impressed with GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.

“I loved my visit overall and I remember leaving and telling myself I felt at home here and I would not mind at all if these guys took a chance on me and I’m happy to be here now,’’ Manu said.

He played mostly left tackle in college but said he’d be happy to play wherever the Lions needed him the most.

“I think discovering American football has been the greatest blessing in my life and I love the sport,’’ Manu said.

Six picks later the Lions drafted running back Sione Vaki from Utah. (Stay tuned for more.)

Detroit Lions draft CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in second round

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions added another cornerback when they selected Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri) in the second round (61st overall) of the NFL Draft in Detroit on Friday night. The Lions drafted CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama) in the first round on Thursday night.

By taking Arnold and Rakestraw, the Lions have now selected a cornerback with their first two picks of a given draft for the first time in the Super Bowl era.

“We didn’t go into it saying we were going to get two corners in the first two rounds,” GM Brad Holmes said on Friday night. It worked out because they were the best players available, adding that he wouldn’t reach for a corner.

The Lions also acquired veteran corners Amik Robertson and Carlton Davis in the offseason, boosting the competition level.

“It’s a bloodbath in there now. It is and that’s what makes everything better,’’ Holmes said. “It makes the room better, it makes the defense better, makes the team better. Competition brings the best out of everybody.

Rakestraw said during a conference call that the two actually made their top 30 visits to the Lions at the same time. The two SEC corners had met and got along when they were working out at the NFL Combine. He said the two of them can be a force to be reckoned with in Detroit’s future.

Rakestraw, the 61st overall pick, played in nine games last season (his redshirt junior year) with eight starts at Missouri. In his four seasons at Missouri, he had one interception, 24 pass deflections and 107 total tackles.

Rakestraw, who is 5-11 and 183 pounds, has told reporters he was born with a chip on his shoulder. He was always told he was too small but they didn’t know how big his heart was. He was once turned away for an offseason camp during high school because he was too small. That snub drove him harder to work on his craft. In his senior year of high school he weighted 154 pounds.

“I’m in the best fit for me as possible. I’m going to prove the Lions are right and everybody else is wrong,” Rakestraw said.

Holmes said the two corners have different personalities.

“Ennis is actually different. You feel the confidence. Me and Dan (Campbell) sitting there talking to him, I felt ‘dog’ exuding out of him,’’ Holmes said. “(He’s) a lot more quiet, to the point, to the business, not as loud and a vivid personality like Terrion.

“We’re just thrilled cause they’re all the same in terms of they both fit us like a glove, they’re both gritty, physical, they’re both challenge mentality guys,’’ Holmes added.

Lance Zierlein, analyst for NFL.com, on Rakestraw: “He plays the game with good physicality and a competitive tilt that defensive back coaches will enjoy. He’s strong but not as big or fast as teams usually like when picking within the first three rounds of the draft. However, he’s hard-nosed in press and has the body control and anticipation to play a sticky brand of man coverage over the first two levels.’’

He was projected as a second-round pick.

“He’s quicker than fast and does a nice job of breaking quickly on throws in front of him with well-timed challenges to knock the ball free. He intercepted only one pass during his college career, which could be a concern, but his willingness and toughness in run support work in his favor. Rakestraw could become a good backup with eventual starter potential in the right scheme,’’ Zierlein reported.

Rakestraw was the only Lions’ pick on Friday.

Saturday is the third and final day of the 2024 NFL Draft with rounds 4-7 starting at noon. The Lions have a fifth-round pick (164 overall), two sixth-round picks (201, 205) and a seventh-round (249).