5 Vikings newcomers projected to start in 2022

Lewis Cine, safety

It isn’t just free agency where the Minnesota Vikings were looking to improve defensively. In fact, many fans expected the purple and gold to get a cornerback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft but instead, they selected safety Lewis Cine.

Minnesota appears to have a plan for Cine in their defense. The smart, young defender will be tasked with doing a lot in the Vikings’ defense in his first year, but his combination of speed and athleticism should have him making plays early and often.

Having a veteran in Harrison Smith to mentor him and help him acclimate to the NFL level is a huge benefit for the 22-year-old Georgia defensive back. It will allow him to come along quickly and contribute early.

While Lewis Cine will likely still take his lumps as a rookie and make mistakes, the future is very bright for the rookie defender. Expectations shouldn’t be too high for him this season, but being a first-round pick always puts extra pressure on a young player to perform at a high level.