Vikings rookie Lewis Cine on being passed over by Bucs: ‘You got me dirty’

Minnesota Vikings rookie safety Lewis Cine was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, but not by the team he expected: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In the NFL Draft, every berth makes a difference: not only in rookie contract salaries, but also in the potential prospect of an NFL future.

Joining a roster led by Tom Brady in what is believed to be his final NFL season would be historic, especially as a young safetyman poised to help out a Bucs high school in need of depth. For potential Lewis Cine, this was the moment to become a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

Then the Bucs traded their #27 for the #33 and said the only person they even wanted in the first round was Logan Hall, the player they picked with the #33.

According to Cine, that’s incorrect: The Bucs told Cine they wanted him in 27th place, then traded that pick away.

“They just got me so dirty,” Cine said, according to Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud.

Vikings rookie Lewis Cine slaps back at Bucs for making false promises during NFL draft

While this isn’t the first time an NFL team has failed to deliver on their draft promise, the Buccaneers likely recalibrated during the offseason. The team signed free safety Logan Ryan, reuniting him with its former Patriots quarterback, and Mike Edwards is listed second on the Bucs depth chart, according to ESPN. With four vacant safeties on their list, the Bucs prioritized defensive end, with Jason Pierre Paul remaining unsigned.

Although the Vikings weren’t playoff contenders last season, their luck could change with Cine on their roster. Cine immediately has more opportunities to make a difference: The Georgia product is already listed as the #1 free security on their depth chart, according to ESPN.

For Cine’s future as free security, passing it on so he can see more opportunities in Minnesota while inadvertently getting his budding career right may have gotten him dirty.