Countdown Questions — #7: Do Minnesota’s Safeties Rise to Stardom?
K. Joudry
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With the full Vikings roster soon to arrive at training camp, PurplePTSD is counting down the top 10 pressing, perplexing, and puzzling questions as the fateful day – July 25th – inches closer. Today’s focus rests on the #7 question:
Collectively, do Minnesota’s safeties rise to stardom?
Harrison Smith is an incredible football player, someone who belongs in the Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done. Working alongside him are Lewis Cine, Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward (the S/CB). The position is bursting at the seams with excellent talent, leading to questions about how Brian Flores will deploy his personnel within the defensive backfield.
Do Minnesota’s Safeties Rise to Stardom?
The Hitman is a monster on the football field.
At times, describing someone as having versatility translates to describing someone who lacks elite skill in any key area. With Smith, the term is offered with the highest praise possible. The veteran safety is going to be the queen for the chess master, moving in any direction to strategically attack what the other side is trying to accomplish.
His spot is assured both on the roster and in the gameday lineup. I’m expecting him to pile up TFLs.
Opposite Smith is where there’s a lot more uncertainty. Astoundingly, Camryn Bynum played every snap for the defense in 2022. He deserves recognition for his toughness, work ethic, and durability. What’s more concerning is the numbers.
The 58.7 grade on PFF is the definition of blah, and the more traditional stats aren’t flattering, either. He allowed a 123.0 passer rating and a 65.9 completion percentage. PFR dings him with allowing 8 TDs into his coverage, an indictment on his play as well as Ed Donatell’s defensive structure.
Perhaps Flores will find a way of incorporating Bynum – a college corner – into the defense more effectively.
Otherwise, the team will be leaning on Metellus, Cine, and Ward (Jackson faces an uphill battle). Not too long ago, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah offered tremendously high praise for Metellus, a 4th-year DB who played his college ball at Michigan. In the GM’s mind, Metellus is a “core pillar” who is going to be featured more prominently in the upcoming season.
Cine, of course, stands out not just because he was Adofo-Mensah’s opening-round selection in 2022 but because he was barely seen in 2022 (pun fully intended). He has a reputation for craving contact. Might he be a blitzing specialist who can also limit tight ends due to his length and speed? The Vikings have the luxury of taking their time with Cine’s injury recovery since the position has so much established talent. Ideally, Cine can get to 100% and then carve out a specific role within Flores’ defense.
The Georgia alumnus played just 2 defensive snaps last year (that’s not a typo).
Finally, keep an eye on what happens with Ward. After the draft, Adofo-Mensah suggested that different scouts had different visions for what position best fit Ward. That kind of ambiguity is a feature, not a bug, within the Flores defense.
An unusual move would be to keep five safeties on the roster, but the Vikings have unusual depth at the position. Provided a couple show they’re capable of soaking up slot snaps, the Vikings may feel compelled to head into the season with a stuffed-full safety position.
The only question at that point will rest in seeing if the broader NFL takes notice. Playing as well as many expect will certainly lead to the overlooked position getting a chance to step into the spotlight.
Editor’s Note: The “Countdown Questions” series is a 10-day look at some of the most important questions facing the Minnesota Vikings as training camp nears. Be sure to keep swinging by to check out the latest installment and to read what has already been covered: #10, #9, & #8.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and PFF helped with this piece.
