2022 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings take Lewis Cine No.32 overall

It’s a new era in the Twin Cities, and the Minnesota Vikings hope that Lewis Cine can be the start of something new and make it feel so right. 

The 2022 offseason saw notable changes within the Minnesota Vikings organization, highlighted by a new general manager and head coach.

Armed with several draft picks, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell begin their quest to return the Twin Cities to football prominence.

The plan is not easy. For one, O’Connell is installing a new scheme offensively. Furthermore, the defense is shifting to a 3-4 alignment, which strictly dictates the type of personnel inserted into the roster on both sides of the ball.

All that said, with the 32nd pick of the 2022 NFL Draft following a trade with the Lions, the Purple crew takes Lewis Cine out of Georgia with the vision that he can be not only the first draft pick of this new regime but the first hit of their first draft, providing positivity for future drafts.

Lewis Cine brings a physical and intimidating presence to the Minnesota Vikings.

Known for delivering booming hits and being an intimidating force in the back end, Cine earned defensive MVP of the College Football Championship honors after helping the Bulldogs dethrone Alabama.

Last season, he recorded 73 total tackles and nine pass deflections.

While he projects more as an in-the-box safety, he is not afraid to roam around in the backfield and make his presence felt, which is likely why the Vikings chose to stay at 32 and take him not to risk waiting until 34th overall after Tampa Bay.

Minnesota got a good haul from their trade with Detroit and picked up an intriguing prospect. Cine and Harrison Smith probably start Day One at safety for the Vikings.

Still, there is the possibility that Cine takes over for Smith whenever the longtime Viking hangs up his helmet and cleats, but for now, they get to patrol the back end together.