Camryn Bynum Has a Great Opportunity

Questions Answered: Biggest Surprise on New Depth Chart, Armon Watts, Bynum over Cine
Nov 7, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings celebrates cornerback Camryn Bynum (43) interception in the end zone during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Coming out of the 2021 Draft, very few would have predicted that Camryn Bynum would have done as well as he did.

A college corner, Bynum was making the transition to safety. The Vikings drafted him in the fourth round with the objective of switching positions. It would have been very easy to assume it’d take a little while before he’d make an impact for the defense.

Rick Spielman – the GM who drafted Bynum – described the California corner as an “[e]xtremely intelligent kid” who is a “[v]”ery good football player. Spielman also notes that the coaching staff felt he could make the position switch: “Our coaches love to work with these type of kids who not only were athletic enough that if you got in a pinch they could go out to corner but they’re athletic enough and smart enough to do everything at the safety position that is required.”

Camryn Bynum suggested that he “expected” the position change in the NFL. He also indicated that being able to learn from Harrison Smith was a major bonus: “They drafted me as a safety, so I’ll be playing safety. I get to learn behind one of the best safeties in the league in Smith. I’m excited about that.”

Heading into 2022, the Vikings have a new GM and (mostly) new coaching staff. Even still, Bynum remains at safety.

In fact, Bynum has had to earn his starting spot. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah picked a safety at the end of the first round: Lewis Cine. Some believed that the draft slot meant Cine had the upper hand in the competition, and perhaps that was true. Regardless, Bynum is the one listed among the starters in the team’s first regular season depth chart.

As a rookie, Camryn Bynum didn’t see too many snaps. He started three games and played in fourteen. He finished the year with 211 defensive snaps. He was able to accumulate 28 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PDs, and 1 sack in that opportunity.

He’s going to face a tough test when the Packers come to town on Sunday. True, GB is without Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but Aaron Rodgers is still throwing the football. As long as Rodgers is the QB, the Packers offense will present some challenges.

Expect to see Camryn Bynum lined up deep most of the time. He’ll be tasked with making plays on the ball as he protects the defense from getting beat over the top. That being said, Ed Donatell will be expecting Bynum to fly up the field to make a tackle when the situation calls for it. Defensive backs will need to be strong tacklers in this defense.

Hopefully, his Week 1 game will be the beginning of a great career as the Vikings’ starting safety.



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