“Vikings Cut 1st-Round Draft Pick Loose: ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ Leave Fans in Shock as Rising Star Dropped Overnight”

The Minnesota Vikings are entering a transformative period in their franchise history. Following Kirk Cousins’ surprising decision to sign with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, the Vikings are turning to veteran Sam Darnold and rookie JJ McCarthy to lead the team at quarterback.

While there’s hope for Minnesota’s future, it’s unlikely they will contend for a championship in 2024. This could prompt the team to part ways with a former first-round draft pick.

Minnesota Vikings Expected to Cut Ties with First-Round Draft Pick via Trade or Release
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report explained why Lewis Cine’s tenure with the team may be coming to an end:

Two years ago, the Minnesota Vikings selected defensive back Lewis Cine with the 32nd overall pick. Unfortunately, his contributions over the past two years have been minimal.

Injuries have been a significant issue for the Georgia product. A severe knee injury in his rookie year dashed any hopes of a Year 1 impact. Even before the injury, he saw limited playing time, recording just two defensive snaps in 2022.

Last season, Cine played in seven games but remained primarily a special teams player, logging only eight defensive snaps. Entering Year 3, he knows it’s a make-or-break season.

“I think I really gotta show out and really ball out and prove why I should be here and why I deserve to be playing in the NFL,” he told KSTP’s Darren Wolfson in July.

Unfortunately for Cine, Minnesota’s safety depth is strong, and the 24-year-old is currently listed as a third-stringer on the team’s first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. He may need to impress in exhibition games to secure a roster spot.

Releasing Cine would cost the Vikings $2.3 million in cap space, so the team will likely explore trade options before considering a release. However, if a roster spot is urgently needed, Cine could still be cut.

A significant lower leg fracture early in his career set Lewis Cine on a difficult path. The injury, which occurred while the Vikings were overseas, left him stranded in London while the team returned home. This rough start has been compounded by his struggles to find consistency.

Is Lewis Cine’s struggle purely injury-related?

Lewis Cine was the first draft pick made by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as the Vikings’ general manager. Adofo-Mensah traded back to select Cine instead of standout safety Kyle Hamilton. Unfortunately, the decision hasn’t paid off, with injuries exacerbating the situation.

If the Vikings believe the roster spot could be better used, they might decide it’s time to move on from Cine.