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Lewis Cine

Lewis Cine Backs Out Of Jets Deal; S To Join Bills’ Practice Squad

August 29th, 2024 at 8:09am CST by Adam La Rose

Lewis Cine was available on waivers after the Vikings moved on from him. The third-year safety went unclaimed, but in short order he appeared to line up a Jets agreement. Instead, he will be joining the Bills.

Cine is set to sign with Buffalo, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. As was the case with yesterday’s development, this will be a practice squad deal at first. Cine will attempt to rebuild his value while providing safety depth to the Bills, a team which has seen plenty of turnover in the secondary this offseason.

Buffalo no longer has either member of the Jordan Poyer–Micah Hyde tandem at the safety spot, although the latter could rejoin the team if he elected to avoid retirement. The Bills re-signed Taylor Rapp, added Mike Edwards in free agency and kept special teamer Damar Hamlin on the 53-man roster. Those three offer plenty of experience on the backend, and they are positioned to handle notable roles in 2024.

The Bills also invested in the safety position during this year’s draft, adding Cole Bishop in the second round. The Utah product was unable to remain healthy throughout his first training camp, but he has the upside to take on starting duties relatively early in his career. While the top of the depth chart gets sorted out in the fall, Cine will look to earn a promotion to the Bills’ active roster in short order.

The 24-year-old was unable to live up to expectations during his brief Vikings tenure. Cine, the final pick in the first round of the 2022 draft, has played just 10 regular season games to date. He will join veteran Kareem Jackson on the taxi squad to begin the campaign as he hopes to find a long-term opportunity. If one does not arise, Cine will be free to sign to the active roster of another team during the year if he draws interest.

Jets To Sign S Lewis Cine

August 28th, 2024 at 12:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

No team claimed Lewis Cine‘s rookie contract, leaving the Vikings with a notable dead money bill after the team cut its losses on the 2022 first-round pick. But the Georgia alum will land another opportunity.

The Jets are bringing in Cine, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Cine will join Chuck Clark and Tony Adams among New York’s safety contingent. This is a practice squad agreement, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.

Although Cine is starting on the Jets’ P-squad, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini adds he will be elevated once he is sufficiently comfortable with the team’s playbook. Chosen 32nd overall, Cine sustained a severe knee injury that derailed his rookie season. The Georgia product needed to stay in London after his teammates had departed, undergoing more surgeries overseas. Cine managed to return in time for the Vikings’ 2023 opener, but he was a nonfactor in Brian Flores’ defense.

The Vikings took calls on Cine, and while teams showed interest, they wanted no part of his first-round contract. Minnesota has now moved on from the first and second draft choices of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era, trading 2022 second-rounder Andrew Booth as well. The Vikings cut the player obtained for Booth (Cowboys CB Nahshon Wright) but brought him back on their practice squad today.

It would be interesting if the Jets acted early with Cine, as he may need more development given his track record (10 career games played). Former third-round pick Ashtyn Davis remains with New York as a backup, and the team kept Isaiah Oliver as well. Still, Cine profiles as an interesting piece for Robert Saleh and Co. to mold. First-rounders regularly receive second chances, and this one will join a defense that has been one of the NFL’s best for the past two seasons.

Vikings Waive S Lewis Cine

August 27th, 2024 at 3:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Known throughout the offseason to be on the Vikings’ roster bubble, Lewis Cine has indeed been let go. The third-year safety was released on Tuesday, as noted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Minnesota held trade talks regarding Cine, Fowler adds. To little surprise, however, no suitor was found and as a result the Georgia alum will hit the waiver wire. It will be interesting to see if any teams put in a claim knowing it is now no longer necessary to acquire him using draft capital.

Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that “several teams” showed interest in Cine earlier today. That could lead to a number of potential suitors submitting a waiver claim. The priority for waiver moves is determined by 2023 regular season standings for cutdowns through the first three weeks of the regular season. In the event Cine, 24, were to go unclaimed, he would become a free agent.

After a strong college career, expectations were high for Cine entering the NFL. The final first-round pick of the 2022 draft class was limited to just three games during his rookie season due to a broken leg, though. Last season, he only made seven appearances and logged just eight defensive snaps while playing a special teams role. Minnesota has a number of other safeties ahead of Cine on the depth chart, and instead of another campaign in a minor capacity he will turn his attention to a fresh start.

Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus and Camryn Bynum are among the players set to log a heavy workload on the backend for the Vikings this season. Cine will be in a new setting by Week 1 as he attempts to carve out a defensive role and live up to his draft stock.

S Lewis Cine On Vikings’ Roster Bubble?

June 22nd, 2024 at 8:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

Lewis Cine has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but this summer could prove to be a pivotal point in his young NFL career. The Vikings safety is buried on the depth chart ahead of next month’s training camp.

Minnesota pulled off a first-round swap with Detroit during the first round of the 2022 draft. Cine was selected with the No. 32 pick, and he faced high expectations after enjoying a successful tenure at Georgia. Ahead of his rookie season, however, it was clear he faced a steep path to a starting workload. Cine’s debut campaign was cut short by a leg fracture which required two surgeries.

The 2023 season saw the 24-year-old log only seven games and eight defensive snaps, and an uptick in usage does not appear likely at this point. As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes, Cine found himself behind not only starters Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum, but also backups Theo Jackson and Jay Ward on the depth chart this spring. Keeping in mind Josh Metellus‘ ability to wear many hats in the secondary, Cine faces plenty of competition for a roster spot. That is especially true given the team’s other moves in the secondary.

Minnesota signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency before adding Khyree Jackson in the fourth round of the draft. Those new cornerbacks will take up roster spots in addition to the aforementioned safeties, something which could leave Cine on the outside looking in during cutdowns. Training camp and the preseason will no doubt play a large role in how the team evaluates him.

As a former first-round pick, Cine’s base salaries for 2024 ($1.75MM) and ’25 ($2.27MM) are fully guaranteed. That could provide incentive for the Vikings to keep him in the fold, and a surprisingly involved and productive 2024 campaign could even give Minnesota reason to consider picking up his fifth-year option. Doing so would tie him to the team through 2026, but quite a bit would need to change over the coming weeks for Cine to receive any sustained looks on defense in the fall. His performances during camp will be worth monitoring.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/22

October 4th, 2022 at 6:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Designated for return from IR: WR Calvin Austin

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Cine has now undergone two surgeries in London to repair his leg fracture. The first-round pick underwent a preparatory procedure before his Tuesday operation to repair the compound fracture he sustained. The Georgia product will stay in England for the time being, with Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press noting (via Twitter) doctors want to ensure no infections develop. Cine could travel back to Minnesota as soon as this weekend.

Following Latavius Murray off the Saints’ practice squad this week, Wilson did not see any action for the team this season. The former multiyear Vikings starter signed a one-year, $2.75MM Eagles deal in 2021, but Philadelphia bailed on that contract during the season. Wilson, 28, finished last season with the Texans. In his lone full season as a Vikings starter (2020), Wilson made 122 tackles, registered three sacks and intercepted three passes.

Addison signed with the Texans shortly after the draft, joining fellow ex-Bills edge rusher Jerry Hughes in joining the rebuilding team on a two-year deal. The Texans placed Addison on IR with a groin injury; he is eligible to be activated to the 53-man roster this week. Teams can make eight activations from their injured lists — be it IR, PUP or NFI — this season.

Vikings S Lewis Cine To Undergo Leg Surgery

October 2nd, 2022 at 2:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings’ trip to London resulted in a win, but also a major injury to a key young member of their secondary. Rookie safety Lewis Cine was carted off the field with a fractured left leg, and will undergo surgery before returning to Minnesota, reports ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. 

Cine suffered the injury during a punt return in the first quarter of today’s game against the Saints. An air cast was fitted, demonstrating the severity of the play. The news marks a major blow for the 22-year-old, who had played all-but exclusively on special teams to begin his NFL career.

The Georgia product was the final pick of the first round of April’s draft, after Minnesota traded back with the Lions. One of several highly acclaimed members of the Bulldogs’ title-winning defense, he took a step forward with each of his three seasons in college. Best known for his physicality, Cine carries high expectations for the long-term, but attention will now turn to his recovery.

“Very tough moment for our team,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game. “[Cine is] obviously a guy that, from Day 1, has been a personal favorite of mine and does everything we’ve asked. He was continuing to progress in his rookie year and really had a dynamic role for us on special teams.”

With Cine sidelined, the Vikings will continue to use 2021 fourth-rounder Camryn Bynum as a starter at safety alongside Harrison Smith. The injury could open up more playing time for Josh Metellus, who has primarily played on special teams since being drafted in 2020.

Latest On Vikings Rookies Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth

September 4th, 2022 at 4:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings used their top two selections in this year’s draft to bolster their secondary, though the prospects they landed may not be seeing major snaps right away. According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, neither safety Lewis Cine nor cornerback Andrew Booth are likely to play starting roles to begin the season. 

Cine went No. 32 overall, the slot Minnesota took over as a result of their swap with the Lions which allowed Detroit to move up to the 12th position. The fifth and final member of Georgia’s elite defense to hear their name called on Day 1, Cine was a key contributor on the backend for the Bulldogs throughout his three-year college career.

Taking a step forward with each successive campaign, the six-foot-one, 200-pounder totaled 73 tackles last season, adding an interception and nine pass breakups. Known more for his physicality than his range or ball skills (dropping him below the likes of Kyle Hamilton and Daxton Hill in the position’s draft rankings), Cine has been competing with 2021 fourth-rounder Camryn Bynum for a first-team role. It appears the latter will get the nod to partner with Harrison Smith at least to start the season.

Booth was also selected in the wake of a trade, but in his case, the Vikings moved up to secure him. Hernia surgery may have hurt his draft stock, as he was considered a borderline first-rounder, but the Clemson product is healthy in time for Week 1. He registered 37 tackles (including three for a loss), along with five passes defensed in his final year with the Tigers.

He also ranked tied for second in the ACC with three interceptions, showcasing his ball skills which, combined with his athletic profile, give him a high upside. Instead of Booth, though, the Vikings are poised to use 2020 third-rounder Cameron Dantzler (who almost found himself being traded last offseason) as a bookend to Patrick Peterson on the perimeter.

The Vikings’ pass defense ranked 28th last season, allowing 253 yards per game through the air. While that makes their commitments to Cine and Booth understandable, familiar faces will prevent them from seeing full-time duty to start their respective careers.

NFC North Notes: Lions, Bears, OTAs, Rookies, Packers, Vikings

June 20th, 2022 at 12:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions recently detailed a number of updates to their front office. Included among them is new titles being given to members of both the player personnel and football operations departments.

Lance Newmark is now the team’s senior director of player personnel, a slightly different job title than the one he had held since 2017 as the head of that department. The veteran executive has spent all but two of his 26 years in the NFL with the Lions, and was a candidate for Detroit’s GM position, which ultimately went to Brad Holmes. He was also linked to the GM job with the Jets prior to that.

Another notable change is the promotion of Mike Disner to chief operating officer. He had previously served as the team’s VP of football and business administration, playing a key role across a number of departments in the organization. He has spent the past three years in Detroit, having been hired as the replacement for Matt Harriss after a stint in Arizona.

Here are a few other notes from around the NFC North:

  • The Bears forfeited one of their OTA practices earlier this month, as detailed by Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune (subscription required). The team held May practices which involved live contact, something prohibited by the CBA. Wiederer reports that the Bears were “requested to alter their practice activity,” but because the staff now led by Matt Eberflus didn’t do so, the team became subject to that minor penalty.
  • The Packers took not one, but two, former Georgia defenders in the first round of the draft in April. Their top selection, linebacker Quay Walker, has immediately seen practice time alongside starter De’Vondre Campbell. As noted by Rob Demovsky in an ESPN breakdown of first-rounders, Walker’s significant presence in both base and sub packages suggests he could start immediately.
  • In that same piece, Demovsky’s colleague Kevin Seifert writes that another former Bulldog, safety Lewis Cine, is pushing for a spot with the Vikings’ first-team defense. The No. 32 pick is in competition with Camryn Bynum for a starting role, but his ascension to that spot “appears inevitable” after his showing this spring.

Vikings Sign First-Round S Lewis Cine

May 11th, 2022 at 4:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

The closeout pick on the Georgia defense’s banner night, Lewis Cine signed his rookie contract Wednesday. The Vikings have their first-round safety signed to his four-year pact.

Cine’s rookie contract, which can run through 2026 via the fifth-year option, is fully guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It is worth $11.5MM.

Georgia’s dominant defense produced five first-round picks — Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt and Cine — and had representation on all three levels. Cine was the only Bulldogs secondary cog selected in Round 1, and it came after the Vikings traded back 20 spots to allow the Lions to move up for Jameson Williams. Minnesota acquired the Nos. 32 and 34 overall picks from its division rival, before trading down from No. 34 to enable the Packers to grab wideout Christian Watson to start the draft’s Friday session. The Vikings picked up two Packers second-rounders to do that, and new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used that ammo to move up in Round 2 for Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth.

ESPN.com’s No. 41 overall prospect, Cine established new career-high marks in tackles (73) and passes defensed (nine) as a junior to both help the Bulldogs to a 14-1 national championship-winning season and move himself toward the first-round radar. Cine earned second-team All-SEC acclaim last season and became the Vikings’ first Round 1 safety pick since Harrison Smith 10 years ago. Cine figures to team with Smith in Minnesota’s starting lineup soon.

Draft Notes: Remaining QBs, Jets, Vikings, Burks, Johnson

April 29th, 2022 at 5:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the main storylines from last night’s first round was the fact that only one quarterback came off the board. The Steelers have their preferred choice in Kenny Pickett, but the other top options likely won’t have to wait long to hear their names called.

Jeff Howe of the Athletic reports (via Twitter) that “several teams” are trying to move up in the second round. As a result, there is “anticipation that a QB run could be on the way”. A number of teams could be interested in adding the likes of Malik Willis, Sam Howell, Desmond Ridder and Matt Corral as intriguing developmental options.

On that point, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer names the Titans, Falcons, Seahawks and Commanders as teams to watch for. He reports that “Ridder’s name has been consistently connected to Tennessee”, who now holds the 35th overall pick. The other teams have done significant work on signal-callers as well. Perhaps eyeing a passer, the Seahawks have made “exploratory calls” about moving up tonight, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (Twitter link).

Here are some other notes looking back on last night:

  • The Jets, as it has been reported, were willing to part with the No. 10 pick for Deebo Samuel. They almost made a different deal with that selection, though, as detailed by ESPN’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter). New York wanted to swap with Seattle for No. 9 to avoid a team leapfrogging them to select Garrett Wilson. Both teams were able to successfully stand pat, ultimately getting Charles Cross and Wilson, respectively.
  • Not long after the top-10 was complete, the Vikings ceded the 12th overall pick to the Lions. With their second first-rounder, Detroit selected Jameson Williams, who may have been the pick at that spot had Minnesota kept it. Breer reports that the Alabama receiver “was very much in play ” for the Vikings, who added Lewis Cine and two Day 2 picks as a result of the deal.
  • Another of the top receivers to be taken last night was Treylon Burks, whom the Titans selected as a replacement for A.J. Brown. When speaking to Pat McAfee, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the Arkansas alum “was the guy Aaron Rodgers wanted” (video link). With him off the board, the Packers extended their streak of not using a Round 1 pick on a wideout, but he reports that they are a candidate to trade up for one tonight (video link).
  • One of the most surprising fallers on Thursday night was pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II. Part of the reason he was still on the board for the Jets at No. 25, Breer notes, was poor interviews with teams in the pre-draft process. Thought by some as a top-10 pick, he ended up with the Jets anyway, and figures to serve as a notable boost to their pass rush.
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