ESPN is naming the NFL’s top 10 players at every position, and Jeremy Fowler ranked Smith as the league’s No. 7 overall safety. Last year, Smith landed at No. 5. Fowler wrote:
Many evaluators make the same assumption when casting their votes: Harrison Smith still has to be in there, right? But others quickly point out decline after a decade of worn NFL tread.
“Smith no doubt was [the standard] and the prototype for a long time. Age gets us all,” an NFC front-office member said.
Most agree he has probably lost a half-step. But he has been arguably the most complete safety of the past decade and still productive, making his sixth Pro Bowl in 2021 with 114 tackles, three sacks and seven passes defended.
One veteran NFL offensive coach said he is a player “you absolutely must account for on every snap, and the list of safeties that do that is pretty short. Guys like him are still hard to find.”
Several others made the point that Minnesota’s lack of cornerback play and pass rush [in 2021] affected Smith, who tried to compensate and overplayed some angles as a result. But Smith is basically the Demario Davis of safeties, equipped with football savvy to defy age.
Topping Fowler’s list were Justin Simmons (Broncos), Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), Kevin Byard (Titans) and Derwin James, Jr. (Chargers), none of whom the Vikings are scheduled to see in the regular season.
They will, however, need to prepare for Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who landed at No. 5 on the list.
Baker earned the reputation as a missile from the defensive backfield, ready to strike on running backs and receivers with fearless hits. His 98 tackles in 2021 tied for 12th among all defensive backs. But he has evolved into a good all-around player, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 61.3 passer rating when he is the nearest defender and allowing 19 of 31 completions for 268 yards and a touchdown. He also snagged three interceptions in 2021.
The rest of the list was as follows: Jessie Bates III (Bengals), Smith,…
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