Few players on the Minnesota Vikings have as lofty expectations as safety Lewis Cine.
Frankly, those expectations come with the territory.
As a first-round selection in the NFL Draft, you’re expected to contribute and be worth the assets used to select you, point blank.
Entering his second season with the Vikings, those expectations are still high.
Still, Cine deserves realistic expectations and standards. After missing most of his rookie season with an injury, Cine’s one year behind most rookies in development and will need time to build himself into a reliable NFL player.
As the Vikings enter training camp, all indications point to Cine being healthy enough to contribute, but his role is still up in the air. A starting spot is up for grabs, but the former Georgia Bulldog is hardly a lock.
So, let’s turn the discussion around. What if Cine was a rookie on this year’s roster? Would he have a real shot at starting, and what would he offer the Vikings?