Who Should I Start? Sione Vaki or Nathan Carter

Sunday, August 17, 10:00 AM

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki rushed for 30 yards on five carries in his 2025 preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. Vaki has been dealing with a lingering hamstring injury throughout training camp, but he returned to practice in full earlier this week. The second-year back is "showing good vision and wiggle," according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. A fourth-round pick out of Utah in 2024, Vaki is competing with veteran Craig Reynolds for the RB3 job in Detroit behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Vaki is still new to the running back position after playing mostly as a safety in college, so his development could take longer than the average young player. With Gibbs and Montgomery ahead of him on the depth chart, Vaki is highly unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025.

Saturday, August 16, 11:19 AM

Atlanta Falcons backup running back Nathan Carter led the team's backfield in Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans, rushing nine times for 63 yards, which included a 43-yard touchdown scamper straight up through the middle of the Tennessee defense in the third quarter. The rookie out of Michigan State got the most run of all the Falcon running backs, adding two catches for nine yards to his stat line, while Jashaun Corbin touched the ball six times and Elijah Dotson received three carries and one reception. Carter's run featured some good vision and breakaway speed, a couple of traits that should go a long way in helping to secure a roster spot as the regular season nears.