Positioning Harrison Smith in the Vikings Record Books
After twelve seasons, Harrison Smith has accomplished some stuff on the football field. What about after a thirteenth season?
The hard-hitting safety affectionately known as The Hitman was picked 29th overall back in 2012. Since then, his only home has been Minnesota, meaning he has put up his statistics in a single spot. Similar to Justin Jefferson, Smith finds himself ahead of some illustrious talent when we take a look under the hood.
Harrison Smith’s Stats in Vikings Franchise History
Smith is a versatile player.
Safeties tend to bring the trait to the table – versatility – but Smith has distinguished himself as someone who is unusually proficient in the area. As a result, the veteran safety has been able to pick up numbers that reflect some strong efforts in both run and pass defense. In fact, there’s even a bit of pass-rushing in the player who is so often tasked with playing deep, as the stats show.
First, the basic numbers and where they rank in team history:
- Solo Tackles: 766 – 2nd in Vikings History
- Tackles for Loss: 45 – t9th in Vikings History
- Sacks: 19.5 – t26th in Vikings History
- Interceptions: 34 – 5th in Vikings History
- Passes Defended: 86 – 1st in Vikings History
- Forced Fumbles: 12 – 8th in Vikings History
Before venturing too far, a quick word. The NFL has changed over the years. One way that it has changed is that certain statistics are counted in the modern era that weren’t during, say, the time of the Purple People Eaters.
So, for instance, Smith’s 1st-place finish in passes defended is very impressive but needs further context. Paul Krause and his 53 interceptions doesn’t see passes defended included in his stat profile, meaning Smith’s competition is more modern players like Antoine Winfield and Xavier Rhodes.
Oh, and fun fact: Kevin Williams is sitting in 4th for passes defended at 68 while Eric Kendricks is as 5th with 51. Williams arrived at his number by getting his mitts up at the line of scrimmage; Kendricks got his by being tremendous in coverage.
In terms of solo tackles, Harrison Smith is just six away from getting to the top spot. Keep in mind, though, that players like Krause, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Alan Page aren’t seeing those stats included. Again, context and history.
Nevertheless, very impressive stuff from The Hitman.
One wonders how high he can climb in the sack category. Getting to 20th – Randy Holloway with 27 – seems too far for a safety toward the end of his career, but D.J. Wonnum’s/Matt Blair’s 23 sacks and 23rd placement may be within reach.
Interceptions are an area where the bronze medal is within reach. Getting to 40 – reminder: he’s sitting at 34 – would mean tying Ed Sharockman for 3rd. In other words, Smith will need 7 interceptions to hit 41 and hold onto sole possession of 3rd place. Catching Bobby Bryant (51) and Paul Krause (53) isn’t happening.
Of course, the prize that has eluded the veteran Viking is the one that has eluded every Viking: the Lombardi Trophy. Harrison Smith would be a very happy man if his statistical achievements can help propel the Vikings toward an unlikely Super Bowl triumph.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
Vikings’ Defense Wasn’t the Sum of Its Parts in 2023
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.