Harrison Smith, Vikings
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Safety Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings‘ search for the heir apparent to Harrison Smith is beginning to narrow.
At the NFL Combine on Friday, February 26, defensive backs were available for workouts and media appearances. While consensus top safety Caleb Downs is likely out of reach for the Vikings with the No. 18 pick, every other safety is reasonable to consider.
Several safeties confirmed whether they’ve received interest from the Vikings, including TCU ballhawk Bud Clark, who was optimistic about his connection with the team.
“I have formally [met] with the Vikings,” Clark said in his media availability. “It was pretty good. We went over defenses, I was very knowledgeable in those meetings, so I feel like they like me.”
Vikings’ Confirmed Visits With Safeties at NFL Combine
Regardless of whether Smith will return for a 15th season, the Vikings would be wise to consider investing at safety for the long-term future.
While Downs appears out of the conversation, consensus No. 2 safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo also said he had not met with the Vikings.
While it seems like the Vikings may not be pining to spend a first-round pick at safety, there’s no need to fret. This year’s safety class is considered deep as the Vikings seem to be doing homework on several Day 2 prospects.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who could sneak into the first round, also confirmed he met with the Vikings, along with VJ Payne. While draft visits are cursory, the Vikings appear prepared to address safety at several positions in the draft.
Bud Clark is Fit for Vikings’ Harrison Smith Role
A former baseball centerfielder, Clark patrols the deep areas of the football field, prepared to pounce at any point. He did so effectively at TCU, tallying 15 interceptions over the past four seasons.
“A sixth-year senior, Clark’s traits won’t pop but his tape most certainly will. Clark is a coverage-versatile safety in a cornerback’s body with the talent to range over the top or man up on the slot. He plays with an overriding desire to do everything all at once – which produces spectacular takeaways and occasional breakdowns – but the good outweighs the bad,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “He triggers downhill in run support and tackles with proper technique, but a lack of size could lead to broken tackles/durability concerns. He might need time to acclimate to the speed/skill of his opponents but his instincts and ball skills give him a good chance to punish mistakes on the next level as an alignment-flexible option.”
With 61 career games in college, Clark has played plenty of ball and could step into an immediate role with Flores. His versatility could add to the multiple looks Flores also deploys with Josh Metellus.
While Thieneman would be a home-run replacement for Smith, the Vikings also have needs at cornerback and on the defensive line.
There’s clearly an outside prognosis that the Vikings are desperate at cornerback.
According to A to Z Sports’ Tyler Forness, the Vikings been mocked Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell 57 times as of Feb. 23. The next most-mocked prospect is McNeill-Warren with 19 selections.