In this class filled with first and second-round safety talent, Lewis Cine ranks right near the top. As he entered college, Cine was a four-star rated recruit. Cine was an integral contributor to the National Championship won by Georgia this year. He won Defensive MVP of the championship game. His strong play throughout the 2021 season led to AP All-SEC First-Team awards. Throughout his three years at Georgia, Cine started 27 games.
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Player Bio
Name: Lewis Cine
Jersey: No. 16
Position: Safety
School: Georgia
Class: Junior
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 199 lbs
Games Watched: Clemson (2021), Arkansas (2021), Kentucky (2021), Alabama (2021)
Major Injury History: None
Player Breakdown
Instincts (12.25/15)
There are some good and bad moments that Cine has instinctually. Going forward, it will just be important to become more consistent. He can be late to react to certain things in the backfield such as play-action and where runs are going. However, he will use his eyes to read things properly and react fast. His pursuit angles at times are too aggressive. At the same time, Cine can also adjust his angles in pursuit with ease as a result of his athleticism to finish plays.
Range/Closing Speed (12.75/15)
When tasked with single-high cover one responsibilities, Cine showed some good potential. His easy, fluid movement ability allows him to cover ground on the deep part of the field. To no surprise, he can cover ground from sideline to sideline with his 4.3 speed. Cine does some of his best work when he sprints downhill at full speed to make a play on the ball carrier. When lined up in the box, Cine showed speed as both a pass rusher and in pursuit to make a play.
Man Coverage (8.25/10)
A likable attribute to take from the man coverage reps Cine had at Georgia was his patience. He would align in the slot on tight ends occasionally. Cine would never show any panic inside and would allow the tight end to work toward him. Cine would take good leverage. From there, he has the short-area quickness and feel on when to open up and break on a route. He can move well in one-on-one situations. Cine also showed the ability to get physical with his hands in man coverage. At times, when he is off his target he can react late and lose at the top of the route.
Zone Coverage (8.25/10)
Cine was utilized in a multitude of ways in zone coverage. He was in split-safety looks, single-high situations, and worked close to the line of scrimmage. When working the deep part of the field, Cine showed he can stay on top backpedaling and side-shuffling relatively easily. While moving, he keeps his eyes on the quarterback. When he needed to break on something in cover one, he had the speed to cover the ground needed.
Ball Skills (7/10)
The one area to Cine’s game that will need drastic improvement for him to become a complete safety in the NFL. Throughout his three years at Georgia, he recorded two interceptions and 14 passes defended. In the four games studied, only a few handfuls of plays were made on the football in the air while in coverage. With his athletic ability, if his instincts can round out and be more consistent, Cine has the potential to then make more plays on the football in coverage.
Change of Direction (9.5/10)
Cine’s second greatest grade on this report, a pure strength of his. Whether he is in pursuit sideline to sideline or downhill to make a tackle, in man coverage, or tasked with a deep cover one responsibility, Cine can change his direction with ease and still maintain his great speed. Cine can work the deep part of the field in a backpedal or side-shuffle and open his hips to convert to speed in no time. In pursuit, Cine has the short-area quickness to change his angle and make a tackle.
Tackling/Run Support (8.25/10)
As stated throughout this report, when Cine works downhill to make a tackle, he does so with great effort. He is not the biggest but is a physical hitter. He is willing to get low to finish a play. Cine can make good tackles in space. He will every now and then miss a tackle. Cine will need to be more consistent wrapping up and finishing. When he is deployed in the box or around the line of scrimmage, Cine can be a reliable contributor against the run.
Versatility (8/10)
In the NFL, Cine projects best as a strong safety and sub-linebacker in the box on passing downs. He can be used along the deep part of the field in split-safety looks. His lack of ball production will likely limit his amount of free safety reps early on. When a defense is in man coverage, Cine can hold his own in the slot on tight ends. Cine will offer good enough versatility to the team that drafts him.
Athleticism (9.75/10)
The best trait Cine easily has is his athletic ability. Cine just posted a tremendous relative athletic score of 9.78 at the scouting combine. His 40-yard dash time was 4.37. Cine had a broad jump at the combine of 11’1″. The athletic ability Cine possesses while testing shows up when you study him on the football field. He moves well with speed, quickness, and change of direction. The athleticism Cine has is a key reason why many are excited about what he can be in the NFL.
Player Summary
Cine is an exciting prospect with more room to grow. He was only a true junior in 2021. With more age and experience, Cine will continue to bigger and improve on the field. His athletic ability, speed, change of direction, ability in man and zone coverage, and hard-hitting tackling presence are all the traits that give him the chance to be great. If he can control himself more with his pursuit angles with more time and experience it would be a huge plus for him. Hopefully, his ball skills can be taken to the next level. Ideally, Cine should be drafted to a cover one, cover three defensive scheme that will allow for him to play as a true strong safety.
Rookie Projections: Starting Strong Safety
Three Year Projection: Potential Top-10 Strong Safety
Final Grade (84/100): Early Second-Round Pick
Player Comp: Terrell Edmunds
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