Lions 'woke up feeling aggressive again,' trade up to pick under-the-radar OT, safety in 4th round

DETROIT — Brad Holmes and Co. entered the third day of the NFL Draft not holding any picks until late in the fifth round.

But they “ woke up feeling aggressive again .”

The Lions made a pair of trades early Saturday afternoon to move up into the fourth round — first with the Jets to take OT Giovanni Manu out of the University of British Columbia, then with the Eagles to take Utah safety Sione Vaki.

To take Manu 126th overall, the Lions sent New York a 2025 third round pick.

In the trade with Philadelphia, Detroit received the 132nd overall pick, used on Vaki, as well as the 210th, deep into the 6th round. In exchange, the Eagles got a 5th rounder and a 6th rounder this year, as well as a 2025 4th round pick.

Both selections were well under the radar for most fans. Manu, listed at 6-foot-7, 352 lbs., logged a 4.90 40-yard dash and a 33.5-inch vertical jump at his pro day.

Vaki, meanwhile, is more than just a safety. While his NFL Combine numbers were a mixed bag — he posted a 4.62 40-time, but a blazing 1.54 10-yard split — he played just about everywhere for the Utes last season.

In addition to one interception last fall, Vaki registered 520 yards from scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball, with two rushing and three receiving touchdowns. He also spent some time returning kicks and punts.

Vaki is the third defensive back in the first four picks for the Lions, having traded up to take Alabama CB Terrion Arnold with the 24th overall pick, before selecting Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw at No. 61.

Holmes and Co. have clearly made it a priority to bolster the secondary, turning a weakness of last year's team into a potential strength .

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