It’s no secret the Washington Commanders are looking to add a safety in the 2022 NFL draft. After releasing veteran Landon Collins, who played more of a hybrid role last season, Washington is looking for a versatile, tone-setting safety in the draft who can play the Buffalo nickel role.
Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton is the top safety in the draft, and many mock drafts have him falling outside of the top 10 and leading with the Commanders at No. 11.
But what if Washington chooses a wide receiver in round one? Could the Commanders look to add a safety in the second round? If so, there are multiple possibilities, such as Lewis Cine (Georgia), Daxton Hill (Michigan) and Jaquan Brisker (Penn State).
Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network currently has a series where he names the best potential fits for some of the 2022 NFL draft class. Fowler recently profiled Cine, detailing his four best NFL fits, and Washington was on the list.
Although Kam Curl and Bobby McCain look to start opposite each other come Week One, the departure of Landon Collins leaves a massive hole at the buffalo nickel spot and Cine would be able to fill Collins’ shoes – and then some – as a three-level defender. With multiple seasons of experience working behind elite level front-seven talents, his addition into a defense touting Chase Young, Jon Allen, Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis should entice Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio.
Cine sounds like the perfect prospect for Washington to inherit the Buffalo nickel spot. Head coach Ron Rivera loves positional flexibility, and the combination of Cine, McCain and Curl would give the Commanders three versatile safeties who could play multiple positions.
Cine is the type of physical presence Washington prefers for its back seven, and there is an immediate role for him if he’s the pick