New York Giants Draft Prospect: SAF/RB Sione Vaki

Where is Utah two-way star Sione's best fit at the NFL level?

Sione Vaki, SAF/RB

Height: 5’11
Weight: 210 lbs.
Class: Sophomore
School: Utah
Stats

Measurements
Hands: 8 ⅝”
Arms: 29 ⅛”
40-yard dash: 4.62
10-yard split: 1.54
Vertical Jump: 39 ½”
Broad Jump: 10’5
Bench Press: 20 reps

A former three-star recruit from Liberty High School in Brentwood, California, where he was the 76th Californian and the 44th safety in his recruiting class.​​ Despite only being a sophomore, Vaki is 22 years old; he went on a church mission for two years. Vaki could be the most interesting prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons at Utah, where he played 998 defensive snaps, 248 snaps on special teams, and 76 snaps this past season on offense.

Vaki’s impact extended well beyond his starting role as a strong safety. In 2023, he averaged 7.5 yards per carry on 42 rushing attempts and scored two rushing touchdowns. He also had 11 catches on 14 targets for 203 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He was a big play threat who had over 200 total yards in Utah’s 34-32 Week 8 victory.

He operated a lot near the line of scrimmage on defense and was frequently the contain defender on the EDGE. His sturdy frame allowed him to slip blocks with ease, but his short arms also worked against him when he was up against bigger - and longer - blockers on the EDGE. He’s started 17 of 26 games. He put his versatility on display at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Strengths

• Stout ball of muscle - THICK
• Solid overall athletic ability with good change of direction and agility
• Is very explosive when heading downhill
• Has 0 to 100 burst when coming downhill
• Beautiful angles of attack when closing from depth on routes over the middle of the field
• Exceptional play strength at the point of attack
• Violent hits throughout his tape
• Hands jolt on the edge - does solid job slipping away/under-blocking attempts to execute his run fit
• Good box defender
• Solid job going low as tackler in pursuit - clean up some technique issues
• Pursuit for days - elite competitor
• When he does come square to target, he does a good job securing the tackle
• Good read defender in contain
• Fun blitzer with good burst - 12 total pressures in career
• Big play offensive threat with football in space
• Good vision and feel as a runner in space
• Dangerous screen weapon - could be an effective decoy or weapon on offense
• Will run through arm tackles, not easy to bring down
• Showed good hands as a receiver, albeit limited
• Low center of gravity with good contact balance
• Could be a difference-making special teams player in coverage and as a returner
• Will impact all three phases of football

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Weaknesses

• Length is a big detriment - sub-30” arms
• Not the most fluid in space when backpedaling or transitioning
• Lacks range/fluidity to play the post
• Had a few coverage lapses when rotating
• 12:45 Q1 Arizona
• 11:59 Q4 Cal
• Better coming downhill than flipping his hips, turning, and locating
• Ball production was limited - may struggle at the catch point at the next level
• Did not align in press often when he was in the slot (131 snaps in 2023)
• May struggle to handle man coverage responsibilities against tight ends
• Will overpursue as a tackler - can be a wild tackler in space
• Rushing ability is raw

Summary

Sione Vaki is a very physical and explosive player who is better when operating around the line of scrimmage. He’s strong at the point of attack and never shies from contact, but he can be a bit wild into the tackle point unless he breaks down, comes to balance, and fires low. Range and man coverage concerns at the next level cap his upside, but he could be an ideal special teams player who can have a marginal impact in all three phases of football since he proves his worth as an offensive playmaker in 2023.

He isn’t as talented as Jabrill Peppers, who was effective on both sides of the football at Michigan, but Vaki is strong, stout, good against the run, and explosive when he comes into contact with the football. He also took quality angles downhill from depth between the hashes when he diagnosed the routes correctly; had a few coverage lapses, though, when he was rotating, which Utah did often. His length and lack of elite athletic traits may work against him, but he has a place in the NFL and could become a fan favorite due to his unique nature.

GRADE: 5.81

Nick Falato

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