Vikings

Camryn Bynum's Versatility Makes Him Vital To Minnesota's Defense

Photo Credit: Matt Blewett (USA TODAY Sports)

There was a general feeling that Lewis Cine would instantly become the starter alongside Harrison Smith after the Minnesota Vikings took him in the first round. Therefore, they would be forcing Camryn Bynum to take a back seat. However, after a solid training camp in which he earned the lion’s share of the first-team reps, it looks as though Bynum will join Smith as a starting safety for the Vikings’ Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers.

Bynum, a cornerback in college, had to become a safety in the NFL because he did not have the top-end speed necessary for pro corner. But what Bynum lacked in athleticism, he made up for with his intelligence. In a post-draft interview, Bynum said the position switch was no surprise because virtually every NFL team that interviewed him before the draft asked about his ability and willingness to play safety.

“That’s something I expected,” he said

As a rookie, Bynum was not supposed to play much while he continued to make his transition from cornerback to safety. However, when Harrison Smith tested positive for COVID-19 just before the Week 9 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Bynum had to step into the starting role on short notice.

Despite only recording nine defensive snaps in the NFL before his first start, he was able to fill the shoes of a six-time Pro Bowler. He made a diving interception, recorded 11 tackles, and allowed a 57.6 passer rating when targeted.

Bynum’s NFL debut was nothing short of impressive. He followed it up with another outstanding performance, recording his first career sack and allowing a 39.6 passer rating when targeted in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Vikings made Bynum a special teamer when Harrison Smith returned. He made an occasional appearance on defense, but he never recorded more than 10 defensive snaps in a game from Week 11 through 16.

After Xavier Woods signed with the Carolina Panthers, Bynum is now slated to be the Vikings’ Week 1 starter. But he’s still in a precarious position. Cine is lurking over his shoulder, and one bad game or even one devastating mistake could be enough for the coaching staff to pull the plug on Bynum and hand the rookie the starting job.

If Bynum loses the starting position during the season, though, he will continue to be a crucial part of the defense, not only because of the quality depth that he provides, but for his seemingly positionless versatility.

Bynum was a corner in college, and the Vikings do not have a lot of veteran depth. They’re especially lacking at the cornerback position, where only Chandon Sullivan has experience. If Sullivan were to go down with an injury this season, it would not be a stretch to say that Bynum would fill that role and Cine would move to safety in his place.

Defensive versatility and quality of depth in the secondary are crucial to winning games.

“Our coaches love to work with these types 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,” Rick Spielman, who drafted Bynum, said. “So that’s why we did move him during our draft meetings from corner over to safety and felt we got great value there.”

The fact that the Vikings will now have three adept safeties on their roster will also allow new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell to get creative with schemes and blitz packages.

“Don’t think about this trio of safeties like you’re playing Madden and only have two starting safety spots to fill,” my colleague Nelson Thielen explained. “Instead, imagine what their versatility could mean for Ed Donatell’s scheme.”

Ultimately, whether he is starting or coming off the bench, Bynum will provide tremendous value to Minnesota’s defense this upcoming season. He is a versatile weapon who can play as a slot corner, box safety, or as deep free safety. He will also be a quality depth piece. If Harrison Smith or Lewis Cine get injured, the Vikings’ coaching staff would feel comfortable inserting Bynum in their place.

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