The Minnesota Vikings sported one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL in 2022. 

In fact, the Tennessee Titans are the only team that allowed more passing yards per game than the Vikings last season. As a result, most of the Vikings' secondary from 2022 has been replaced with Patrick Peterson, Kris Boyd, Cameron Dantzler, Chandon Sullivan, and Duke Shelley all shown the door. 

While not a corner, one player in the Vikings' secondary could prove to be a difference-maker in 2023. 

Lewis Cine was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Unfortunately for Cine, he suffered a season-ending compound fracture in his leg in Week 4 that warranted two surgeries. 

It was a brutal blow for the young rookie and the Vikings, who needed a strong rookie season from Cine. Fortunately, Cine is now healthy and "looks more explosive" than he did last summer. 

However, Cine will not be handed the free safety position. The former Georgia Bulldog will have to beat out incumbent starter Camryn Bynum who had 81 tackles and two interceptions in 2022. 

Bynum was a fourth-round pick out of California in the 2021 NFL Draft. The safety only started in three games as a rookie but was forced to start all 17 games for the team in 2022. PFF was not overly impressed by Bynum's performance, handing him a 58.2 grade.

Bynum and veteran Harrison Smith are the only returning starters in the Minnesota secondary that finished 31st in passing yards allowed per game last season. With a strong summer showing, there's no reason that Cine couldn't beat out Bynum for the job. 

In college at Georgia, Cine patrolled the middle of the field, sometimes even playing linebacker. Cine is a violent hitter who is not afraid to meet running backs at the line of scrimmage. His pass coverage could be hit-or-miss, but his versatility allows him to line up in the slot or at his natural safety position. 

While Cine likely will not break interception records any time soon, he could help the passing defense by lining up as a linebacker and blitzing on passing downs. 

This will be an interesting competition to monitor. Cine's draft pedigree and impressive summer could force the Vikings' hand. However, some believe that Bynum did enough to hang on to the job. No matter who wins, competition is always a good thing. 

Featured image via © Matt Krohn | 2022 Aug 20