6 first-round mistakes that continue to haunt the Vikings

First-Round Mistake No. 6

The Vikings traded back in 2022

In his first draft, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decided to trade back from the 12th overall pick in favor of extra picks, and the decision backfired. Rather than sticking at 12 and taking Kyle Hamilton, the Vikings moved back and drafted Lewis Cine with the 32nd pick.

Two years later, Hamilton looks like an All-Pro safety, while Cine cannot see the field for one of the league's most inconsistent defenses. He suffered a gruesome injury as a rookie that ended his season early and hardly saw the field in 2023 while Josh Metellus stepped up.

Heading into 2024, Cine seems to be a possible roster cut, as there is no role for him on the roster. With Metellus emerging as a starter and Cam Bynum being a very good safety in his own right, the Vikings really do not have a need for Cine at this point.

With Kyle Hamilton also being a safety, the same questions could possibly be had - however, I think Hamilton could be used more as an extra linebacker or box defender than what Cine presents. Aside from Hamilton, the Vikings passed on several other studs in 2022.

They passed on Jordan Davis, Trent McDuffie, and Tyler Linderbaum, who now all play meaningful snaps for contenders.