**Minnesota Vikings’ Former 1st-Round Pick at Risk of Losing Roster Spot**
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) last Thursday and will resume with training camp in a month. Rookies report on July 21, followed by veterans on July 23.
A key, but less publicized, storyline is the competition for safety positions on the Vikings’ 53-man roster. The current safeties include starters Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum, with backups Jay Ward, their former 1st-round pick, and Theo Jackson.
Undrafted second-year player NaJee Thompson has switched from cornerback to safety this offseason. Thompson, who mainly played on special teams last season, recording seven tackles and one fumble recovery in 195 special teams snaps, is now among six safeties on the roster.
Many believe Thompson will secure a spot on the 53-man roster, putting former 1st-round pick Lewis Cine on the roster bubble.
Cine, the 32nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has struggled since joining the NFL. In his rookie season, he played only three games with two defensive snaps and 34 special teams snaps, not registering any statistics. His season was cut short by a compound fracture to his left leg. In his second season, Cine played in seven games, recording one tackle in eight defensive snaps and 84 special teams snaps, but was a healthy scratch for ten games.
As training camp approaches, Cine faces a critical challenge to secure his place on the 53-man roster. Will he step up or succumb to the pressure?
