The end of the 2020 Minnesota Vikings roster breakdown is nearly here. So far, we’ve covered the entire offense, as well as the defensive line, linebackers and cornerbacks. This week, we move on to the safety position.
The Vikings have the best safety duo in the NFL, but they will be tested in a big way this season. With every member of the cornerback group still on their rookie contracts, there is guaranteed to be some lapses in coverage that the safeties will have to make up for. With the departure of both Andrew Sendejo and Jayron Kearse, the safety group will be without two incredibly good backups – so if either of the starters go down for an extended period of time, it could cause trouble.
Harrison Smith has been one of the best safeties in the league since he came into the NFL as a first-round pick in 2012. He has been named to the past five Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in 2017. The biggest part of Smith’s game is his football IQ – he is a master at disguising his coverage who can do it all, from rushing the quarterback to covering wide receivers. The 31-year old is under contract for the next two seasons and has shown no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Anthony Harris, who starts next to Harrison Smith, has a playing style that is a perfect complement to Smith’s. Where Smith plays all over the field, Harris is generally in coverage where he excels. Pro Football Focus gave him a coverage grade of 91.6 in 2019, which was first among safeties (Harrison Smith was second with 91.4). Last season he started 14 games and led the league in interceptions. The Vikings used the franchise tag on Harris, so after this year he will be a free agent. The two sides still have time to come together on a long-term contract, but with the Vikings already paying Harrison Smith a lot of money, it will be hard to shell out eight figures to both safeties.
There is still a chance the Vikings sign a veteran safety before the season starts, but as it sits now, the team has three rookies vying for the two backup safety spots.
Josh Metellus has the best chance of making the roster, simply because the Vikings used a sixth-round draft pick on the former Wolverine. Metellus is 5’11”, 209 pounds, and is a fierce competitor who will likely play mostly on special teams while also mixing in at safety whenever Smith or Harris need a breather.
Brian Cole II is another safety the Vikings drafted, this time in the seventh round. Cole started his college career as a receiver at Michigan but finished at Mississippi State as a safety. He is a work in progress, and while he could play on special teams, it will likely be a few years before he’s ready to see the field on defense.
Myles Dorn is the third rookie safety for the Vikings, although unlike the other two, Dorn was undrafted. He has great instincts as a player, but his lack of speed was exploited in college and it will likely only get worse for him in the NFL.
Do you think the Vikings should go after a veteran safety before the season starts? Reach out to me on Twitter and let me know (@JordanWrightNFL). Skol!