The Minnesota Vikings made Lewis Cine the 32nd pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he was seen as the heir apparent to Harrison Smith on the back end. However, after injuries derailed the start of his career, Cine has been unable to find his footing with the team. With the emergence of former late-round pick Theo Jackson at safety, the depth chart looks complete, and one NFL analyst believes Cine could be traded.

Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network compiled a list of one NFC North player from each team he believes could be traded this season. For the Vikings, his selection was the former Georgia Bulldog safety. “Despite being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Cine has struggled to stay on the field due to injuries. The Vikings could look to cut their losses and trade him for a chance elsewhere,” DiBona said in his article.

The selection of Cine makes sense. The safety room is currently full of talent that is outperforming Cine. While his play has not been that of a first-round pick, NFL teams will find value because Cine was selected in the first round two seasons ago and might give up an asset to bring him in during training camp.

The price for Cine will not be much, a mid-round pick at most, but if he is not going to make the Vikings roster, the organization could look to move him early before the roster cuts to give him a chance to compete for a roster elsewhere.

It is highly unlikely that Cine will be on the team when the regular season starts in September. Trying to find a trade partner for the defensive back would be in the Viking’s best interest to try and gain some value in return for the 24-year-old before outright releasing him.