One Young Viking Tabbed as ‘Forgotten’
The Minnesota Vikings are banking on young players’ sudden and developmental progression in 2023, evidenced by the parting of ways with various veterans this offseason.
One Young Viking Tabbed as ‘Forgotten’
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah notably said goodbye to Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, Patrick Peterson, and Duke Shelley, among others, so somebody(s) has to fill the roles of outgoing vets.
And one such nominee also happens to be ‘forgotten,’ at least according to Bleacher Report. His name is Lewis Cine, a second-year safety who missed most of 2022, his rookie season, with a broken leg.
Adofo-Mensah made Cine the first draft pick of the Vikings post-Rick Spielman and post-Mike Zimmer era, scooped out of Round 1 with the 32nd pick about 14 months ago. Fans and media members had high hopes for Cine during the summer of 2022, but then Camryn Bynum won the free safety job next to Harrison Smith, Cine played a little bit of special teams, and was injured in October versus the New Orleans Saints.
Now, however, the ‘forgotten’ man is recovering from the gruesome leg affliction and has sights set on a starter’s job in September. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified eight forgotten players around the league with training camps about a month away, and Cine was among the group.
Knox explained, “While the second-year man may still be stuck behind Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum at safety, he should see the field more as a sophomore. He could also have a real opportunity to shine as a rotational player under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.”
Cine played 36 total snaps as a rookie — 34 on special teams and 2 on defense.
“Cine appears to be recovering well and could be back to 100 percent by the start of training camp […] If Flores is going to use a more aggressive and diversified scheme than predecessor Ed Donatell, Cine could be a huge part of it. It’ll be interesting to see just how he’s utilized during camp,” Knox added.
While a starting job at free safety is attainable, Cine must dethrone Bynum — again — this summer, plus teammate Josh Metellus, who has produced noteworthy OTA and minicamp output. Cine’s draft stock suggests he should start sooner than later, but Bynum and Metellus won’t simply roll over.
Cine has a couple of items on his side, as well. He’s 23 years old. Youth is there. Additionally, in his purest form, he should be a dream come true for new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings defensive bossman preaches aggression, and that’s exactly Cine’s modus operandi.
Because of the broken leg, Cine is apparently flying under the radar from a national viewpoint.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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