Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine faces an uncertain future as the team heads into the 2024 season, with his spot on the roster far from secure. Cine, the first pick by the new Vikings regime led by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, has not lived up to expectations. His rookie year was marred by a lower leg fracture early in the 2022 season, leading to deferred development. Despite being physically unrestricted since spring OTAs and minicamps, Cine struggled to secure significant playing time under coach Brian Flores.
Flores employed a defensive strategy involving three safeties, but Cine found himself overshadowed by five other players in terms of snaps at the safety position. In the 2023 season, Cine, under a four-year, $11.4 million contract, was frequently left out of the active roster, sitting out in 8 of the 17 games and only managing eight defensive snaps—limited to a single game, Week 16, in which the Vikings faced a decisive defeat against the Green Bay Packers.
The scrutiny on Adofo-Mensah’s first draft class has intensified due to the lack of significant returns on key picks, particularly Cine and second-round cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. Responding to criticisms, Adofo-Mensah addressed local reporters in an end-of-year news conference, acknowledging the challenges faced by Cine and Booth in adapting to a new defense. Despite expressing continued belief in the players and committing to their development, Adofo-Mensah emphasized that the business ultimately revolves around results, leaving the future of both players uncertain.
Adofo-Mensah’s decisions in the draft have come under scrutiny, particularly the trade of the 12th overall pick inherited from the previous regime. With just three selections within the top 150 picks, he traded the 12th and 46th picks to the Detroit Lions for picks 32, 34, and 66. The subsequent trades resulted in a total of six selections, with Cine and Booth being the first two picks. The returns on these selections, aside from guard Ed Ingram and running back Ty Chandler, have been underwhelming, contributing to potential regrets in the Vikings organization.
The 2024 draft will be crucial for the Vikings, with Adofo-Mensah stressing the significance of the upcoming offseason. The team faces decisions regarding the future of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, with the outcome pivotal for Adofo-Mensah’s rebuilding efforts. Successfully navigating the quarterback situation will allow the general manager more time to address pressing needs on defense, including edge rusher, defensive tackle, and cornerback positions.
While the first draft class has faced criticism, Adofo-Mensah’s second rookie class is already showing promise, with players like Jordan Addison, Mekhi Blackmon, and Ivan Pace Jr. making positive contributions. Pro Football Focus ranks the Vikings second in wins above replacement (WAR) from rookies on a per-snap basis, highlighting the quality contributions from the emerging talents. As the Vikings look ahead to the 2024 draft, the focus remains on making the right decisions to fortify the roster and position the team for contention in the seasons to come.
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