Vikings: 3 cap casualties that could alter 2021 NFL Draft plans
By Darral Nail
3. Harrison Smith, Safety
Harrison Smith is a Pro Bowler five times over, and a two-time All Pro selection at the safety position for the Vikings. The reason for his inclusion on this list has less to do with his on-field performance than a set of factors less under his control.
From the all-important financial standpoint, Smith is set to enter the fifth and final year of the $51.25 million contract he signed with the club in 2016, and would carry a cap hit of $10.25 million into the 2021 season under his current deal. What’s more, the team would incur no dead money hit against the cap if they were to decide to release the veteran defensive captain. The economics are simply not good, especially for a defensive back that will turn 33 years old during next year’s postseason.
Speaking of defensive backs, Minnesota is well on their way to a complete rebuilding of their secondary. After allowing top corners Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander to leave after 2019, the Vikings would double down on the effort by releasing Holton Hill during the 2020 season as he struggled with the increased load brought on by the absence of the above-mentioned trio. The team seems committed to a youthful approach at cornerback with Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney and could look to employ a full turnover at the safety position as well, especially during an offseason in which they figure to move on Anthony Harris, who is Smith’s running mate on the back end.
Though it would be hard to quantify what Minnesota would lose in terms of leadership and on-field direction in Smith’s absence, they could benefit from the depth of the safety position in the 2021 NFL Draft.
dark. Next. Vikings: 3 Kyle Rudolph replacements in 2021 NFL Draft
With a total of six picks at the team’s disposal in the third and fourth round alone, Vikings faithful might want to familiarize themselves with incoming prospects like Paris Ford of Pittsburgh, a physical player who could play either safety position, Hamsah Nasirildeen of Florida State, who projects as a strong safety-type at the next level, or Ar’Darius Washington of TCU, a ball-hawking center field prospect whose collegiate film rivals that of any safety prospect in the class despite his 5-foot-8, 179-pound frame.