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.
Awesome. He may turn out to be nothing, but this is absolutely a flier worth taking, especially at a position group that’s still a little iffy.
I could see him having a breakout season. We know he has the ability, he just needs to stay healthy.
I’m confused because I don’t see him on the practice squad list the Jets announced. He’s not on the main roster either.