A Young Vikings Defender Got a Raise
Well earned.
Vikings defender Camryn Bynum has seen his compensation increase in 2024, as VT’s Sean Borman pointed out: “Vikings safety Camryn Bynum’s 2024 base salary increased from $1,055,000 to $3,116,000 by way of the proven performance escalator.” Over the Cap is putting the safety’s total hit at $3,295,453.
Camryn Bynum, The Young Vikings Defender, Gets a Well-Earned Raise
So far, the NFL offseason hasn’t been kind to safeties.
Excellent players are getting cut at an unusually high rate, prompting Dustin Baker to weigh-in on how the trend impacts where things are going with Harrison Smith. And while Smith’s spot on the roster is uncertain due to a whopping $19.2 million cap charge, Bynum’s $3.3 million hit looks like a bargain.
Last season, Bynum snagged 1,122 snaps. It’s a huge amount, but it’s actually a decrease from the 1,161 snaps from the Ed Donatell days in 2022.
A college corner, Camryn Bynum spends most of his time patrolling the deep area of the field. Last season he snagged 561 snaps at free safety to partner with his 282 slot snaps, 186 box snaps, 49 corner snaps, and 42 d-line snaps. Versatility is a coveted commodity for Brian Flores, so it’s no surprise that the DC leaned on Bynum to shift around the field.
The folks over at PFF were impressed by the work Bynum did, giving him a 73.2 grade. That’s a number that came in at 22nd overall at his position and ahead of his running mates. Smith finds himself at a 68.9 grade (34th) whereas Josh Metellus sits at 69.2 (33rd).
The more traditional stats are similarly flattering.
He set a career high for tackles with 137, an unsurprising reality given that he looked noticeably more aggressive throughout the season. He tacked on 0.5 sacks, 1 QB hit, 2 TFLs, 9 PDs, 2 INTs, and 3 FFs. Completions into his coverage dropped from an average of 16.5 yards to 10.0 and he trimmed the 8 TDs allowed in 2022 to 3 in 2023.
Keep in mind, too, that there’s room to keep improving. Bynum didn’t play a ton as a rookie and then had a rocky sophomore season. Year 3 featured plenty of strong play and promising moments, but the decision makers in Eagan will be looking for Camryn Bynum to keep elevating his game.
Even if he has already reached the summit for his abilities, though, Bynum has been a success. He was chosen 125th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 4th-rounder has exceeded expectations.
With the Bynum pay bump, the Vikings are sitting on more than $37 million in cap space. Oh, and don’t be surprised if the fourth-year defensive back gets an extension before the 2024 season arrives. Doing so would partner him with Metellus for the next several years as both the present and the future at safety.
Bynum will turn 26 on July 19th.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
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