To say Vikings safety Harrison Smith is having a good year, might be underselling it a bit.
The fourth-year, former first-round pick from Notre Dame has taken his game to new levels in his second season under Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.
Statistically Smith hasn’t been that noticeable, he is tied for the team lead in tackles with 26, and he has one of the team’s four interceptions through four weeks. But his efforts anchoring the Vikings secondary is drawing rave reviews from those near the NFL.
Top 5 Safeties by 2015 Season Grade:
H. Smith 98.6 -MIN
D. McCourty 92.9 -NE
E. Berry 91.9 -KC
M. Jenkins 90.5 -PHI
W. Thurmond 88.1 -PHI— PFF (@PFF) October 13, 2015
” target=”_blank”>Pro Football Focus has named Smith the league’s top safety through the early part of 2015.
Top 5 Safeties by 2015 Season Grade:
H. Smith 98.6 -MIN
D. McCourty 92.9 -NE
E. Berry 91.9 -KC
M. Jenkins 90.5 -PHI
W. Thurmond 88.1 -PHI— PFF (@PFF) October 13, 2015
Zimmer – who hasn’t always been a big fan of Pro Football Focus – tells 1500 ESPN that not everything Smith is doing shows up in the stat column.
“[Smith] is another guy that does a lot of things that don’t really get recognized,” Zimmer said. “He’s not getting the interceptions, but he hasn’t had many opportunities. He’s doing a good job in pressure, good job in run force and being in the right place, helping guys get lined up.”
Monday Morning Quarterback also says Smith has closed the gap on others at the position.
“This year Smith is our second-ranked coverage safety and second-ranked run defender, which is an unbelievable combination. No one else is close, and if he continues this level of performance he’ll have the best season we’ve ever seen from a safety since we started rating players.”
