Vikings Move on from Lewis Cine
The Philadelphia Eagles released safety Lewis Cine over the weekend as the team faced a Tuesday deadline. This might mark the end of a turbulent three-year career in the NFL for Cine, who started with high expectations in Minnesota but soon fell into disarray.
The complexities of the NFL draft are something we all recognize. You have memorable trades like the Saints giving up their entire draft class for Ricky Williams, or the Raiders selecting JaMarcus Russell. The Vikings’ decisions in 2022, while not infamous, certainly raised eyebrows. They aimed to improve their All-Pro defense but ended up trading valuable assets and arguably bolstering their rivals in the process.
The Trades Begin
It was clear what the Vikings needed heading into the 2022 NFL Draft: help in the secondary was critical, alongside a push to strengthen the interior offensive line. Sitting at the 12th pick, the Vikings had their eyes on defensive back talent. Surprisingly, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, who was highly touted for the draft, was still available.
The Vikings eventually traded their 12th overall pick to the Detroit Lions…
Initially, this first-round trade seemed bold, albeit contentious. Teams generally believe that accumulating more picks is advantageous. What surprised many was that Minnesota traded with a divisional rival, making what appeared to be a questionable deal. They exchanged their 12th and 46th picks for the Lions’ 32nd, 34th, and 66
Vikings Move on from Lewis Cine
The Philadelphia Eagles released safety Lewis Cine over the weekend as the team faced an upcoming Tuesday deadline. This decision could signify the end of a chaotic three-year stint in the NFL for Cine, who began his journey in Minnesota with significant expectations but quickly found himself in turmoil.
The intricacies of the NFL draft are widely acknowledged. We remember trades like the Saints giving up their entire draft class for Ricky Williams or the Raiders selecting JaMarcus Russell. While the Vikings’ decisions in 2022 may not reach those levels of notoriety, they did stir some controversy. The team aimed to patch up its All-Pro defense, yet ended up trading key assets and, arguably, improving their rivals along the way.
The Trades Begin
Heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, it was evident what the Vikings required: substantial assistance in the secondary, as well as bolstering their offensive line. With the 12th pick, they had a clear target in mind. Surprisingly, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, regarded as a top prospect, was still on the board.
Ultimately, the Vikings decided to trade their 12th overall pick to the Detroit Lions…
This initial first-round trade seemed ambitious, even if somewhat contentious. Traditionally, teams believe it’s better to accumulate more picks than to settle for fewer. The unexpected aspect was that Minnesota made this trade with a divisional rival, leading to questions about the deal’s fairness. The Vikings traded their 12th and 46th picks for the Lions’ 32nd, 34th, and 66th picks, a move that many felt cost them significantly in draft value.
Kyle Hamilton ended up going to the Baltimore Ravens at the 14th pick and has since been named an All-Pro twice.
The Vikings Select Cine
When the Vikings finally selected Lewis Cine at No. 32, many wondered about their approach. If safety was their priority, why not simply choose Kyle Hamilton instead of trading back? It raised questions about whether they had truly assessed available talents accurately when opting for Cine at 32.
To be frank, Cine was not held in the same regard as Hamilton by most analysts. This isn’t hindsight; throughout the draft process, Hamilton was consistently viewed as a top-10 prospect, whereas Cine was seen as a borderline first-round selection. Cine’s strongest attribute seemed to be his play style, which resembled that of a linebacker in the secondary—and his pass coverage left something to be desired. When the Vikings drafted him, it appeared they were banking on potential coaching development. This was a rather hopeful outlook, considering that once players enter the NFL, they face a steep learning curve in mastering nuanced aspects of their positions.
Nevertheless, the Vikings moved forward with Cine and continued to their next pick.
At No. 34, they were set to make another selection. After that, they opted for yet another trade. This time, they dealt with the Packers, grabbing picks No. 53 and 59. It was another odd decision, acquiring a receiver who might not have been exceptional but was part of a broader rotation.
Next, Minnesota traded up again with the Colts to secure cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. at No. 42, giving up picks 53, 77, and 192 in the process.
In the end, the chain of trades began with the 12th pick and culminated in the second half of the fourth round. The consolidation of their picks led to the realization that they had potentially given up access to one of the league’s best safeties.
- S Lewis Cine
- CB Andrew Booth Jr.
- OG Ed Engram
- DEszi Otomewo
- RB Ty Chandler
The quality of these draft choices can’t be overstated. Cine was cut by the Eagles, Booth Jr. is buried at No. 8 on the Cowboys’ corner depth chart, Engram is a backup in Houston, Otomewo is similarly low on the Steelers’ list, and Chandler only managed 182 rushing yards last season. The only player who seems to have any chance of sticking around is one who may find himself on special teams. Meanwhile, the Ravens secured the talented Kyle Hamilton, the Lions landed a productive wide receiver, the Packers got a solid contributor, and even the Colts benefited from trades that added valuable assets.
It’s unusual for teams to make such numerous trades and see others around them emerge significantly stronger.
