The 2022 NFL Draft was a defining moment for Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, but not for the reasons he’d hoped. In a bold move, he traded down from the 12th overall pick to the 32nd, selecting Georgia safety Lewis Cine. The decision, meant to maximize draft capital, backfired spectacularly. Cine’s tenure in Minnesota was a tale of misfortune and missed opportunities, leaving fans and analysts wondering what could have been.
Cine’s career with the Vikings was derailed almost before it began. A devastating compound leg fracture cut his rookie season short, and in two years, he played a mere ten defensive snaps, recording just one career tackle. By the time the 2024 season rolled around, Cine was no longer a Viking, released and now fighting for a roster spot with the Philadelphia Eagles. For a team with playoff aspirations, the pick was a gut punch, cementing a narrative of doubt around Adofo-Mensah’s draft acumen.
But what if the Vikings could rewrite history? Pro Football Focus (PFF) took a stab at re-drafting the worst picks from the past five years, and Cine was the glaring choice for Minnesota. In their re-draft, PFF suggests the Vikings would have been better off selecting Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre, originally taken 37th overall. Pitre has been a revelation, amassing six interceptions, 21 passes defended, and nearly 300 tackles in three seasons. His stellar play earned him a three-year, $39 million contract extension in 2024, making him a cornerstone of Houston’s defense.
Yet, there’s an even bolder “what-if” scenario. Had the Vikings stayed put at pick 12, they could have snagged Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, who went 14th overall to the Baltimore Ravens. Hamilton has been nothing short of electric, earning two Pro Bowl selections and a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2024. His versatility, instincts, and playmaking ability have made him one of the NFL’s premier safeties, a player who could have transformed Minnesota’s secondary and struck fear into NFC North offenses.
Imagine Hamilton patrolling the backfield at U.S. Bank Stadium, breaking up passes intended for the likes of Justin Jefferson’s rivals or stonewalling runs by Aaron Jones. His presence could have elevated a Vikings defense that has often struggled to find consistency. Even Pitre, with his relentless energy and knack for big plays, would have been a massive upgrade over Cine’s unfortunate tenure.
The Cine pick remains a sore spot for Vikings fans, a reminder of the fine line between draft genius and disaster. If Adofo-Mensah could turn back time, staying at 12 for Hamilton or trading down and still landing Pitre would have been the move. Either player could have reshaped Minnesota’s defense and sent a message to the NFC North: the Vikings are coming. As the 2025 season unfolds, check out the Vikings’ week-by-week schedule to see how they’re faring in their quest for redemption.