Who Should I Start? Sione Vaki or Rasheen Ali

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 23, 3:49 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali showcased some versatility for the team in the 30-3 preseason victory over the Washington Commanders. Ali registered nine carries for 36 yards and a touchdown, adding five receptions for 16 yards. The second-year pick out of Marshall is currently listed as the RB4 on the depth chart, battling for a roster spot with D'Ernest Johnson, who also had a productive game. Despite this productive outing, he doesn't currently offer any fantasy value, and this preseason performance shouldn't have a significant impact on fantasy managers' draft decisions heading into Baltimore's Week 1 Sunday Night Football clash with the Buffalo Bills.