Who Should I Start? Sione Vaki or Raheim Sanders

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.

Thursday, August 28, 12:11 AM

The Cleveland Browns have claimed running back Raheim Sanders off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of South Carolina earlier this offseason. He was productive during the preseason, totaling 28 carries for 101 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Although he looked solid this summer, it wasn't enough for him to earn a roster spot over Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton, or Hassan Haskins. He has a much more reasonable path to playing time with the Browns, who remain in a contract stalemate with rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Sanders immediately slots in third on the Browns' depth chart behind Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson. He should be avoided in most redraft leagues, but he might be worth stashing in the deepest dynasty leagues given that he could see some opportunities out of the backfield this year.