Lewis Cine - DB - Georgia
Welcome to the rookie profile for Lewis Cine. Cine has been an ever present for Georgia since his freshman year and has always put-up solid displays for the Bulldogs. Good in coverage and a solid tackler, missing only 8 tackles from 133 collegiate attempts.
Measurables
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 200 lbs
40-yard dash: 4.45s
3-cone drill: DNP
20-yard shuttle: DNP
Vertical Jump: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP
Bench Press: DNP
College Stats
Notable Headlines
Cine had a highly successful high-school career and left as a four-star recruit and the number three ranked safety heading into college, receiving 35 offers. Almost a year after an offer from Georgia, Cine committed to the Bulldogs saying ‘I felt comfortable here’ and it wasn’t just the football, he committed due to the good educational program that Georgia provides.
In Cine’s freshman year he showed glimpses of his excellent coverage abilities as he featured in every game and started 2 times for Georgia, one of which was against LSU in the SEC Championship game where he impressed. He made a steady start for the Bulldogs as he put-up 19 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss and an interception
After an impressive game in the SEC Championship we saw Cine feature as an ever present member of the roster for the remainder of his time with the Bulldogs. In a COVID disrupted sophomore season Cine once again improved his numbers as he featured in 10 games and amassed 52 tackles – 1.0 tackle for a loss.
It’s safe to say that in Cine’s junior year at Georgia he has well and truly caught the Nation’s attention after an impressive season. Cine played 15 games for Georgia and racked up 73 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss and an interception. He helped Georgia beat Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship where he was named as the Defensive MVP, and Cine was also a CFP National Champion. Cine earned individual honors as an Associated Press Third-team All-American and as part of the All-SEC First-Team.
Scouting Report
Positives
Something you will notice is Cine’s play speed ability. He is a great athlete and plays with very good instincts and awareness. His play speed can be seen sideline to sideline, going downfield – oozes speed. Cine’s excellent ability to diagnose plays against the run, reading the opposing offenses well and making sure that he’s in a position to come out on top is what makes him one of the top safeties in this year’s class.
NFL Coaches will love Cine’s versatility, throughout his career in Georgia we have seen Cine play in a two-high scheme, as a nickel cornerback and as a one-high single safety. Versatility like this is something that will leave Cine in good stead as a utility player in defense for an NFL franchise. Cine who is 6’1 and 200lbs has the size to play as a weakside linebacker and his athleticism allows him to be a factor in the passing game. He reminds me of a retro safety when they are required to be physical, he is a ferocious hitter and rarely misses a tackle – definitely ticking the box as an iconic retro safety.
Cine is excellent in the run game and is more than willing to sacrifice his body. He can go around and avoid blocks with ease and has shown glimpses of shedding blocks as well. His good change of direction ability and instinctive style of play allow him good positioning to make big plays. His effectiveness in the run game is perhaps his best attribute, he is aggressive and will meet the ball-carrier with a vengeance and is a very good tackler in the open field.
Negatives
Cine has cemented his place as one of the best safety prospects in this year’s draft but we probably won’t see him selected until the 2nd round. Cine will need to tidy up his ball skills, his awareness and instincts will get him into good positions, but he’ll often fail to get his head around – in the NFL this will lead to a lot of penalties against Cine.
I’d like to see a higher amount of ball production for Cine. He will often look to focus his attention on the man rather than the ball, this is reflected in his stats as he’s only pulled in 2 interceptions across his collegiate career.
Cine diagnoses well in the run game, he will need to improve a little more in the coverage aspect of the ground game. He is often late in the passing game due to not doing the greatest of jobs navigating traffic in coverage. Not fluid enough in man coverage, when he tries to react can get stuck on his heels and look flat flooded.
Pre Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital- Round 2
Landing Spots
It’s safe to say that Terrel Edmunds hasn’t quite hit the heights that were expected of him in Pittsburgh, Edmunds becomes a free agent at the end of the season and the Steelers could look at replacing him in what is a very talented safety class. Cine suits the mold of being a Steeler as a hard-hitting player who would become a fan favorite at Heinz Field, would also pair up very nicely with Minkah Fitzpatrick to form a lethal safety tandem.
Alternatively another landing spot could be in Atlanta, they are a team with several 30+ players and have safeties with expiring contracts in the off-season. I think we’ll see the Falcons prioritize an EDGE in the 1st round and look at adding a safety in the 2nd round and if Lewis Cine is still available, he’d prove to be great value and help them becoming a more faster and physical defensive unit, especially in a division featuring some of the best running backs in the NFL.
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Image Credit: Brett Davis – USA TODAY Sports
