Related: Top 10 Minnesota Vikings 1st Round Draft Picks of All-Time

Lewis Cine shows growth, makes Vikings roster

Lewis Cine. Where do we begin? Most Minnesota Vikings fans have probably already given up on Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first draft pick. But the 32nd overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft is still just 24 years old. That’s far too early to throw the towel in on one of the best players from a championship-level Georgia Bulldogs defense.

Lewis Cine was the definition of a headhunter while at Georgia. A heat seeking missile

See ball, attack ball 😈 pic.twitter.com/RV7dbsenjB

— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) July 20, 2024

While skeptics are right to have their doubts about a player who hasn’t done anything at the pro level, it’s quite possible he’s still mentally trying to overcome an injury some athletes may never come back from. Cine is facing very stiff competition among a deep group of Vikings safeties. However, he does benefit from the fact that defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to use three safeties at a given time, sometimes more.

With all the losses the Vikings have suffered to their cornerback group, Cine now has more opportunities. For the third-year pro, it’s now or never. The ball is in his court.

Related: 6 Cornerbacks Vikings Could Add to Address Sudden CB Need

Vikings stand pat at CB, Andrew Booth snags key role

Losing two players who were expected to contribute in 2024 in Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon places the Vikings in a tough spot. However, they emerged from the draft with a wealth of depth. That depth is now being tested, and then some.

Previously, a player like Andrew Booth Jr may have been a prime trade candidate. The Vikings could have likely swapped the former second-round pick for another high-upside player at another position, or a veteran more capable of contributing right away.

But not anymore. Now Booth is very much back in the mix to emerge as anywhere from a CB2-CB4. Yet, even doing that won’t be easy. He’ll have to show he’s better than a former Pro Bowler in Shaq Griffin while holding off Akayleb Evans, who started 15 games last season.

Yet, there’s a reason why the former Clemson product was once viewed as a fringe first-round prospect. If the 23-year-old can put it all together in his third season, the Vikings’ defensive back group will see a big boost, and we know he’s confident in his abilities.

Related: Vikings Beat Writer Very Critical of Two MN Cornerbacks

Jalen Nailor steals WR3 role from Brandon Powell

One of the biggest training camp battles to watch is seeing who will emerge as the third receiver option behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. While T.J. Hockenson will eventually become a top target once he returns to health, Vikings QBs will have to get used to relying on another playmaker until then. That man might just become third-year pro Jalen Nailor.

.@jalennailor hauls it in from @jjmccarthy09 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VVzuDDOKUy

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 25, 2024

The 2022 sixth-round pick is one of the fastest receivers on the team. Some say he might even be the fastest overall player. His biggest issue has been staying healthy, but he even saw 15 games of playing time as a rookie. So if he’s able to stay healthy, we wouldn’t rule Nailor out for a sizable role.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Know Who They Want to Win the WR3 Job

James Lynch earns starting role on Minnesota Vikings D-Line

The Vikings only have one established starter along their defensive line. Harrison Phillips isn’t losing his starting role, but Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery’s jobs are not safe. There’s a group of hungry trench warriors eyeing playing time, and 2020 fourth-round pick James Lynch is one of them.

A rotational player that has been flashing the past few weeks has been Vikings defensive lineman q #92 James Lynch.

Lynch is in his third season but is still only 23 years old. He doesn't always fill up the box score but did against the Bills.

Plus his middle name is 'Husker'. pic.twitter.com/l7cEIZ4cJt

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 15, 2022

He’s displayed a strong motor in his past opportunities in Minnesota, but a torn ACL wiped out his entire 2023 season. Now back on track, the 25-year-old is as motivated as ever to prove he not only belongs in the NFL but is one of the best defensive linemen on the team. We’ll see if he can pull it off.

Related: 6 Vikings Training Camp Battles that Matter in 2024

J.J. McCarthy wins starting QB job

Don’t tell the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff, but we know what they’re doing by hyping up Sam Darnold and lowering expectations for their new 21-year-old quarterback. Of course they don’t want their first-round QB to get too big of a head before he’s even made his official debut.

It’s not that Darnold isn’t fully capable of holding down a starting role. He was the No. 3 overall pick for a reason, and the 27-year-old has only sharpened his craft since joining the league in 2018. However, there’s also a reason he’s been bouncing around the NFL ever since.

All McCarthy needs to do to emerge from camp as the Vikings’ starting QB is prove that he’s more consistent than Darnold, while showing he’s capable of winning over the locker room. Our money’s on McCarthy’s leadership shining through over the next few weeks, making it so the coaching staff has no choice but to name him the starter for Week 1.

Related: J.J. McCarthy is Already Climbing Vikings’ Depth Chart

In his Sunday column, Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters had some interesting nuggets regarding what he’s hearing behind the scenes, regarding the first and second round draft picks from 2022, Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr.

Don’t expect Lewis Cine or Andrew Booth Jr to make Minnesota Vikings roster

According to Walters, former first-round safety Lewis Cine is “untradeable” given the $4 million still guaranteed in his rookie contract, which still has two seasons left on it. Charley, a former Minnesota Twin and longtime Sid Hartman scoops competitor, notes bluntly: “It’s likely [Cine will] get waived in training camp”.

Per @Charley_Walters, #Vikings 2022 1st-round draft pick S Lewis Cine and 2022 2nd-round CB Andrew Booth Jr. are likely to be waived in training camp 👀

“Former Vikings 1st-round safety bust Lewis Cine, because he’s guaranteed $4 million over the next two seasons, is… pic.twitter.com/amabLfmCh1

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 12, 2024

Former Vikings first-round safety bust Lewis Cine, because he’s guaranteed $4 million over the next two seasons, is untradeable. It’s likely he’ll get waived in training camp. If a team were to claim him, it would be responsible for the $4 million. After clearing waivers, some team might be willing to sign him as a free agent.

Charley Walters – Sports Columnist for the Pioneer Press

First-Round Safety Lewis Cine

O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah immediately start building their respective staffs and populating draft boards for the 2022 NFL Draft. Two years removed from that offseason, their vision is fully coming into focus… no thanks to that first draft class.

This may or may not be a shock to some. Cine was Adofo-Mensah’s very first pick as an NFL general manager, so making a move to cut him with two years left on his 1st contract would be a tough pill to swallow.

Cine’s season in 2022 was cut short after a horrific compound fracture injury to his lower left leg during a special teams play in week 4, but he was never really in the race to start that season, even before his injury, which happened as a gunner in punt coverage.

Related: Vikings insider reveals leader in starting QB battle between Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy

Cine battled back from the injury in 2023 but rarely saw the field on defense, logging only 8 snaps all season and which ended with him at the very bottom of the safety depth chart. His slow NFL start may be blamed on his injury but word around TCO Performance Center must not be very positive right now.

Whether he officially is waived in training camp remains to be seen, but according to Walters, Lewis Cine’s time in Minnesota is coming to an end. And if the Vikings can’t trade him… you read between the lines.

Second-Round Cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.

Not only is Lewis Cine in the “hot seat” to potentially not make the roster, but former 2022 second-round pick Andrew Booth Jr. joins the club as potentially being done as a Viking.

A second-round pick, CB Andrew Booth, who is guaranteed $900,000 next season, seems close to being done as a Viking.”

Charley Walters – Sports Columnist for the Pioneer Press

In the same article, Walters also notes Booth Jr. as a candidate that “seems close to being done as a Viking”. Booth Jr. also hasn’t done much in his two seasons in Minnesota. During his 2022 season, he posted a horrific 41.7 coverage Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade which eventually gets him benched. He finishes the 2022 season having only played 105 total snaps.

Related: NFL Draft Analyst Believes J.J. McCarthy Can (and Will) Start for Vikings in Week 1

Last season was a bit better, but he still showed to much inconsistency to be considered a starter in the NFL. He eventually was replaced by 2023 third-round cornerback Mekhi Blackmon.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s 2022 Draft Class

Overall, Adofo-Mensah’s 2022 draft class has been very underwhelming. So underwhelming that it likely has set this team back a year or two given that it only has produced one starting player (Ed Ingram).

As of today, how many of the players drafted in 2022 do you think will make the #Vikings final 53 man roster?

Lewis Cine
Andrew Booth Jr
Ed Ingram
Akayleb Evans
Ty Chandler
Jalen Nailor
Nick Muse pic.twitter.com/R6NNx34v3l

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 10, 2024

If Cine and Booth are cut during training camp this year, that would leave only Ed Ingram, Brian Asamoah, Akayleb Evans, Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor, and Nick Muse as the only players from that draft class still on the roster. You could even argue that Asamoah, Evans, and Nailor could be on the hot seat as well this year.

We’ll see how the dust settles this offseason, but according to Charley Walters… don’t expect to see Lewis Cine or Andrew Booth Jr. on the 53-man roster.

#Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is off the injury report and will play Sunday in London against the Saints. The Vikings have listed OLB Za'Darius Smith as questionable with a knee injury and CB Andrew Booth Jr. as doubtful with quad injury.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 30, 2022

This is good news for a Minnesota team that finally found a way to establish the run game last week vs the Lions. Both Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison kept the Vikings in that game for three quarters. Then, Kirk Cousins was able to dagger them in the 4th quarter.

On the season, Cook has amassed 203 yards and one touchdown (42 carries). His 4.7 Y/C average is the same as what he finished with in 2021 (1,159 yards, 6 TD, 249 CAR). On Sunday, New Orleans will go without Michael Thomas and, likely, Jameis Winston.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Earlier this week, we found out that both Smith and Booth Jr were expected to return on Sunday, in London, vs the New Orleans Saints. The news on Dalvin Cook was positive, too. A dislocated shoulder isn’t a good thing but it’s better than what first shot through minds when he left the field grasping at arm in clear pain.

Empty Injury Report

Still, how painful would it be for him? Would the brace he wore last season have to go back on? Those were the obvious questions being asked. But when the Vikings released their first injury report of the week, on Wednesday morning, it was empty.

#Saints vs #Vikings Wednesday injury report: pic.twitter.com/WxWyWOxf5b

— Aileen Hnatiuk (@AileenHnatiuk) September 28, 2022

No Harry, no Andrew, no Dalvin Cook. All three, according to the Vikings injury report, are full-go to start the week. That is surprising. The Saints, on the other hand, aren’t so lucky. They enter the week with Alvin Kamara, Tayson Hill, Michael Thomas, Ryan Ramczyk and NINE others listed.

Vikings Head Coach says different.

In the NFL, teams are not allowed to hide injuries. Even if Dalvin Cook was “Limited”, the Vikings are supposed to disclose that status. But if you ask Kevin O’Connell, Dalvin Cook is NOT practicing today and Za’Darius Smith is day-to-day. An on-site unofficial injury report, via Dane Mizutani (Pioneer Press), also listed Andrew Booth Jr and CJ Ham as missing in action to start practice on Wednesday.

Dalvin Cook, Za’Darius Smith, and Andrew Booth Jr. were not present at today’s practice. Neither was CJ Ham in the portion open to the media.

Harrison Smith was back so the Vikings have that going for them which is nice.

— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) September 28, 2022

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said Za'Darius Smith is also day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/1aUiPY6GEX

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 28, 2022

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell thinks it's safe to say Dalvin Cook will have a rest day today and continue to evaluate him throughout the week. pic.twitter.com/MDqMp4mPBM

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 28, 2022

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

It wasn’t just tackling where the former Boston College standout excelled, while holding down the middle linebacker position for the Carolina Panthers. Luke Kuechly collected 18 interceptions, 12.5 sacks, forced 7 fumbles and recovered 9 of them, during his 8 seasons. If anyone is qualified to give an opinion on NFL defense, it’s Kuechly.

Kuechly Loves Vikings Secondary

So, when the future hall of famer gets on ESPN and tells the world that the best NFL secondary in 2022 is that of the Minnesota Vikings, we should believe him… right?

Here’s the clip of Luke Kuechly labeling the Minnesota Vikings with the best secondary in the NFL.

Luke makes some good points, but will the Vikings fulfill this statement? pic.twitter.com/damBcLqYbZ

— Vikings Central (@VikesCentral) May 11, 2022

“I’m gonna kind of go a different direction. I’m gonna go with the Vikings. Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson and two young rookies; Lewis Cine out of Georgia and they draft [Andrew] Booth, out of Clemson. I think, when you talk about young guys coming into the league, I think the one important thing is, ‘where do they learn from and who do they learn from’?

You learn from two guys that have played at All-Pro levels for such a long time in Patrick Peterson and Harrison Smith. I’m excited to see young with some old. Patrick Peterson, great ball production. Harrison Smith, kind of a two-way player, can play in the run game and has also had some great ball production in his career, with interceptions and forced fumbles.”

Luke Kuechly (SportsCenter)

Let’s Pump the Brakes

It appears that Luke Kuechly showed up to this segment, prepared for a different question. Maybe, ‘What NFL defense could be underrated and end up surprising us in 2022?’ Either that, or I need some of whatever he’s eating and or smoking during lunch.

Kuechly might be right on Harrison Smith. Entering his 11th season at age 33, The Hitman is yet to show his age and continues to disrupt at all levels of the defense. But, father time is undefeated and the Vikings drafting Lewis Cine tells us they’re preparing for Smith’s decline.

At 32, Patrick Peterson is already far beyond his prime and the advanced metrics over at PFF shows it. Still, quarterbacks prefer to avoid him and he’s certainly still a positive on the field, but especially off of it. P2 has become one of the vocal leaders in a Minnesota Vikings locker room that needed veteran leadership.

Dose of Reality

On a good secondary laden with talent, both Smith and Peterson would be great glue pieces, even later in their careers. A defense where Harrison could feel comfortable roaming around, picking and choosing his opportunities like a lion constantly on the prowl. Maybe a defense where Pat P. could lock onto an opponent’s second-best WR all day, slowly crushing his personal moral.

But on the Vikings’ defense, both veterans will hold responsibilities that require them to perform at the top of their games. That, while babysitting and raising young, unproven talent around them. Patrick Peterson will match up against the best receivers in the league, week in and week out. A responsibility he’s no longer fit for. Smith will be tasked with raising and keeping track of Lewis Cine, while simultaneously making up for mistakes that He (Cine), Cam Dantzler, Andrew Booth and Harrison Hand will undoubtedly make.

Could Cine and Booth catch on faster than most rookies who fill out secondaries throughout the NFL every year? It’s possible, but given their draft slots at No. 32 and 34 respectively, the odds are against that happening. Chandon Sullivan, who was acquired in free agency, is an average slot CB. Cam Dantzler and Harrison Hand have both struggled to show growth through two seasons.

Trying to Imagine…

Yes, the last couple of paragraphs took a more pessimistic view of how 2022 could play out. But after the 36 seconds you watched of Luke “I Love the Vikings” Kuechly, it was warranted. It’s likely that reality lands somewhere between the two extremes (but probably closer to mine).

I just can’t force myself to imagine a 2022 NFL where the Vikings roster what is considered a top secondary. But I certainly hope that Kuechly is right and this blog, come December/January, proves my lack of football knowledge. Because a top secondary would completely change the prospects for the Minnesota Vikings’ upcoming season. Show me a great secondary at US Bank Stadium this fall and I’ll show you a Super Bowl parade in downtown Minneapolis come February.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan