Minnesota Vikings: Week 7 stock risers
By Luke Sims
Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) tackles Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
4) Harrison Smith, safety, Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Smith is no longer one of the younger players on the Minnesota Vikings team and has stepped up as a veteran leader for the defense. He’s been involved on 35 tackles so far this season (same as Eric Kendricks) and is a reliable leader.
Week 7 against the Detroit Lions was no different for Smith and while the standard he sets is high, he continues to meet and exceed it. In on nine tackles (one for a loss) and a sack against the Lions, Smith was also excellent in coverage. He allowed just one of three passes his way for only five yards.
Through the season, Smith is PFF’s highest graded safety. While the grades are in no way definitive, he is also a leader across a number of statistics. He is first in the NFL among safeties with at least 25 percent of a team’s snaps in catches allowed (25 percent), has one pass defensed, and an interception as well.
As noted by a Fox Sports column, is there anything Harrison Smith can’t do? After another impressive performance, it’s worth asking.
Next: The aging running back responds after a poor performance