Former First-Round Pick Tries to Revive Career with Buffalo Bills by Changing Positions

For Minnesota Vikings fans, the 2022 NFL Draft will always be remembered in infamy.

One of the biggest reasons for that is their first-round selection of safety Lewis Cine, who never blossomed into an NFL player in Minnesota. In fact, Cine played just 10 defensive snaps over his two seasons with the Vikings, in part because of a leg fracture that ended his rookie year.

Prior to the 2024 season, the Vikings decided to part ways with Cine, and since then, he has hopped aboard the Buffalo Bills practice squad. Now, the former first-round pick appears to be trying to revive his career by making a position change.

Former First-Round Pick Changes Positions with Bills

Aug 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine (6) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Sabato of the Niagara Gazette confirmed the position change in a recent article, writing, “Cine felt he needed a fresh start after two frustrating seasons with the Vikings. Little did he know, that would include a position change as the Bills have spent the last few weeks giving Cine a try at linebacker.”

Cine spent his collegiate years with the Georgia Bulldogs as one of the most prolific free safeties in the entire country. He was the MVP of Georgia’s victory in the College Football Playoff national championship game with seven tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defense.

In total, Cine put together 145 tackles, four tackles for loss, 14 passes defended, and two interceptions over three seasons and carved out a reputation for himself as a high flying, hard hitting player at the safety spot.

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Lewis Cine (16) celebrates after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

That physical play combined with electrifying speed earned Cine his first-round draft status, but he never was able to put all the pieces together for the Vikings.

At 6’2″ and 199 pounds, Cine certainly is on the smaller side for a linebacker, but with the Bills having a need at the position after Matt Milano was lost once again prior to the season’s start, perhaps the physical, bulldog mentality that the safety-turned-linebacker brings, perhaps this is the path towards him rejuvenating himself at the NFL level.