Where Harrison Smith, Other Vikings Defenders Rank at Their Positions, Per PFF
Previously, we looked at where the Vikings' offensive stars ranked within their positions, according to Pro Football Focus.
Now let's move to the defensive side of the ball. Unsurprisingly, the Vikings don't have quite the same firepower on that end.
Edge rusher
Danielle Hunter: No. 11
Hunter may be three years removed from his impressive 2019 season, but I don’t think enough people are giving him the credit he deserves for his impressive 2022 season, as it was the second-most productive season of his career. He finished the year with a 15.9% pass rush win rate and 85 total pressures.
The four players in front of Hunter on this list are Haason Reddick, Rashan Gary, Trey Hendrickson, and Von Miller, and you can easily make an argument that he should be ahead of all four. Hunter had more pressures than all of those players last year, although he did play significant more snaps. The big question with Hunter is whether or not he'll end up being traded this offseason amid more contract drama. Former Viking Za'Darius Smith, who was traded to the Browns, is No. 17.
Safety
Harrison Smith: No. 17
The ageless Smith is past his prime at 34 years old, but he still commands the Vikings’ secondary with aplomb. While his 2022 overall grade of 68.4 is more solid than elite, he did haul in a team-leading five interceptions despite the struggles of the rest of Minnesota’s coverage unit. It’s quite possible that he will start and finish 2023 as the Vikings' best defensive back. That says a lot more about the Vikings than Smith at this point in his career.
Smith, the Vikings' longest-tenured player, hit his peak back in 2017. Still, the six-time Pro Bowler remains a quality player because of his intelligence, instincts, and ball skills. He recorded five interceptions, ten passes defended, and 85 tackles last season and is the undisputed leader of the Vikings' secondary. This feels like a fair ranking.
Defensive tackle
Harrison Phillips: No. 28
Phillips is limited to being mostly a run defender, but he is good in that role and was stout against the run in both Buffalo and Minnesota. His 73.8 PFF run-defense grade in 2022 was the second highest of his career, with Phillips setting a career high in snaps (738), too.
Phillips deservedly cracks the top 32 at defensive tackle. He'll never be a spectacular player, but he's valuable because he's a strong run defender who can occupy multiple blocks. Former Viking Dalvin Tomlinson, now with the Browns, is No. 18.
Cornerback
N/A
Byron Murphy Jr. doesn't crack the top 32 in PFF's cornerback rankings, which is a bit surprising. Former Viking Patrick Peterson comes in at No. 31.
Linebacker
N/A
No Jordan Hicks either. Eric Kendricks is at No. 12, which feels slightly high after the last couple of years.
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