Harrison Smith
Summary
Harrison Smith was selected in the 1st Round (#29 Overall) in the 2012 Draft out of Notre Dame. A four-time Pro Bowlers and two-time All Pro, Smith is one of the premier safeties of his era. His strengths lie in versatility, intelligence, tackling, and leadership, making him a cornerstone of the Vikings’ secondary. Age and declining top-end speed are his main limitations, but his ability to anticipate plays, combined with consistent tackling and playmaking, ensures he remains a high-impact player.
Strengths
Versatility & Football IQ
Smith is known for his ability to play multiple roles in the secondary — he can align near the line of scrimmage, cover tight ends, drop into deep zones, or play centerfield. His understanding of defensive schemes and offensive tendencies allows him to anticipate plays.
Tackling & Run Support
Consistently strong in run defense, Smith combines sound angles, anticipation, and aggressiveness to make open-field tackles. He is reliable in stopping both inside and outside runs.
Ball Skills & Playmaking
Career interceptions (over 30) and forced fumbles highlight his ability to make game-changing plays. He has a knack for reading quarterback intentions and positioning himself effectively.
Leadership & Consistency
Smith has been the defensive anchor for the Vikings for over a decade. His experience, preparation, and leadership help orchestrate the secondary and maintain unit cohesion.
Durability
Aside from occasional minor injuries, Smith has been durable and dependable, playing nearly every game in his career.
Weaknesses
Age-Related Physical Decline
Smith is in the sunset phase of his career. While his instincts remain elite, reaction time, range, and recovery speed can decline with age, which may affect his ability to cover faster receivers or tight ends in vertical routes.
Lack of Elite Top-End Speed
Smith is not the fastest safety in the league. While his anticipation compensates, pure speed mismatches can occasionally challenge him in deep coverage.
Occasional Missed Assignments in Complex Schemes
When the Vikings use highly complex or disguised coverages, Smith has had isolated instances of miscommunication or being late to rotate, though these are rare given his veteran experience.
Limited Pass-Rush Contribution
Unlike some hybrid safeties, Smith is not used often as a blitzer, limiting his versatility in exotic defensive packages compared to younger, more athletic safety-edge hybrid players.
Fit & Outlook
Smith is ideal for a defense that emphasizes coverage versatility, intelligent play-reading, and strong leadership in the secondary. He can operate in both single-high and two-deep safety shells. His performance will largely depend on how much longer his legs hold up, but his experience and anticipation makes him one of the most effective defensive backs in the league regardless of age. While he may not be the same explosive player he was early in his career, his experience, anticipation, and leadership keep him valuable as a starting safety and mentor for younger players.