Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the roster in-depth with backgrounds and how they currently project forward on the Minnesota Vikings roster.
What is the best-case scenario? What is the worst-case scenario? What should we expect from them during the preseason and beyond? We will break all of that down here.
As a staff, all of us at Vikings Wire ranked the entire 90-man roster 1-90 and will be releasing player profiles in reverse order.
Background
Name: Harrison Smith
Rank: 5
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 211 lbs
Experience: 12th year
College: Notre Dame
Stats (In NFL): 159 games played, 158 starts, 946 tackles, 43.0 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 36 quarterback hits, 34 interceptions, 83 passes defended, 4 touchdowns, 9 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries,
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 5
Kevin Fielder: 4
Judd Zulgad: 7
Saivion Mixson: 5
Average: 5.25
Best case scenario
Smith returns to his old form as a riverboat gambler, do-it-all safety.
Last season under Ed Donatell, Smith was asked to play mostly two-high, essentially eliminating most of what he’s good at. Under Brian Flores, Smith is likely to be asked to do a little bit of everything, which is how to best utilize him on the back end. The aggressiveness of Flores will help maximize Smith’s ability to blitz and shoot gaps in the running game.
Worst case scenario
Smith’s athleticism has waned too much and he struggles to be as effective as he once was.
Athleticism was never Smith’s game, but he is a good athlete. Going into his age 34 season, that could end up hindering his performance this season and beyond. Father time waits for no player and it could be Smith’s time this year.
What to expect in 2023
Smith is likely going to be better than last year but also not what he once was. The key will be in how Flores utilizes him on the back end. Blitzes and roaming the box are what he does best and that will be a big part of his game. Expect Smith to have multiple sacks and tackles for loss like he did earlier in his career.
Previous player profiles
90-Garett Maag
89-Jack Podlesny
88-Zach Ojile
87-NaJee Thompson
86-Thayer Thomas
85-Sam Schluter
84-Jaelyn Williams
83-Jacky Chen
82-Cephus Johnson III
81-C.J. Coldon Jr.
80-Junior Aho
79-Malik Knowles
78-Abraham Beauplan
77-Wilson Huber
76-Lucky Jackson
75-Andre Carter II
74-Curtis Weaver
73-T.J. Smith
72-Alan Ali
71-Josh Sokol
70-Blake Proehl
69-John Reid
68-Trishton Jackson
67-Kalon Barnes
66-Benton Whitley
65-Calvin Avery
64-Theo Jackson
63-William Kwenkeu
62-Sheldon Day
61-Tay Gowan
60-Ross Blacklock
59-Vederian Lowe
58-Jaren Hall
57-Nick Muse
56-Ivan Pace, Jr
55-Jalen Reagor
54-Luiji Vilain
53-Austin Schlottmann
52-Troy Dye
51-Olisaemeka Udoh
50-Nick Mullens
49-Kene Nwangwu
48-DeWayne McBride
47-Jaquelin Roy
46-Jay Ward
45-Brandon Powell
44-Troy Reeder
43-James Lynch
42-Greg Joseph
41-Johnny Mundt
40-Blake Brandel
39-Mekhi Blackmon
38-Chris Reed
37-Joejuan Williams
36-Ryan Wright
35-Esezi Otomewo
34-Jalen Nailor
33-Ty Chandler
32-Jonathan Bullard
31-D.J. Wonnum
30-Patrick Jones II
29-Andrew DePaola
28-Ed Ingram
27-Lewis Cine
26-Garrett Bradbury
25-C.J. Ham
24-Josh Metellus
23-Andrew Booth Jr.
22-Akayleb Evans
21-Jordan Hicks
20-Camryn Bynum
19-Khyiris Tonga
18-Dean Lowry
17-Brian Asamoah
16-Alexander Mattison
15-Jordan Addison
14-Josh Oliver
13-Ezra Cleveland
12-K.J. Osborn
11-Harrison Phillips
10-Marcus Davenport
9-Byron Murphy Jr.
8-Ben Sims
7-Kirk Cousins
6-T.J. Hockenson
