2013 Secondary Position

Secondary Grade: 7

 

The Minnesota Vikings looked much improved in 2012 in the secondary and we should see more improvement in 2013. Rick Spielman traded up to get back into the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Harrison Smith with the #29th pick. Spielman hit on this pick and Harrison Smith had a fantastic rookie season. Look for the Vikings to get more help in the secondary with an aging Antoine Winfield and a young bunch like Chris Cook, Josh Robinson, A.J. Jefferson, Marcus Sharles, Robert Blanton, Brandon Burton, Jamarca Sandford, Mistral Raymond and Andrew Sendejo.

Harrison Smith was a stud in his rookie season and solidified a huge game at free safety. He is a big time thrasher back there and makes wide receivers get butter fingers because he will make you pay. He had 104 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. Harrison is a game changer and was a huge part of our success in the secondary last season. Look for him to continue to make big plays and big hits and will be fun to watch improve after an outstanding rookie season.

Antoine Winfield has played 14 seasons in the NFL and doesn't have very many years left at age 35. Last season Winfield stayed relatively healthy and was the same old Winfield, big hitting play making machine. Leslie Frazier has limited Winfield with his on the field contributions and look for Leslie to do the same in 2013. His legs aren't able to hold up for every snap of the game, but when he is out there he still is productive. Don't look for the Vikings to make him into a safety, he doesn't want to convert at this point in his career. He is still a hard hitting cornerback who can make big time tackles in the open field, but has lost a step in his covering skills.

The Vikings welcomed Chris Cook back last season with open arms and were hoping that he would be a huge asset. Once again Cook couldn't stay healthy and was not very productive. We need him to be a #1 or #2 cornerback and he hasn't shown we can trust him yet. Will he prove us wrong in 2013? I sure hope so, but I am losing faith. He can cover big wide receivers well like Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson, but lacks big play ability and gets lost out there at times.

A.J. Jefferson is another guy who looks like he shows flashes, but then can't stay on the field and when he is can get burt. The Vikings were hoping he would be a nice #2 or #3 cornerback and hasn't shown much yet. Is this the year? He is still young and has good size, but must improve this offseason.

Josh Robinson is a young corner who has big play ability and has shown that at points last season. He looks like a good cover cornerback who is hungry for the ball, but then again only started in 6 games in 2012. Look for Josh to contribute next season and provide us with some good young talent.

Will the Vikings give Mistral Raymond another shot at Safety or will they try to get something in the draft? Mistral didn't get much time to prove himself as he also was injured for 6 games. At times he looked like the perfect complement to Harrison Smith and other times he looked like a second year safety out of place. I know he will compete for the starting role and must show improvement in order to be the answer at Safety. The Vikings want Safeties who can be versatile and shut down big plays, but also create run support and pressure on the quarterback. They are not easy to find in the NFL, let alone in the draft.

Look for other guys to improve like Marcus Sharels, Robert Blanton, Brandon Burton, Jamarca Sandford and Andrew Sendajo. All of these guys need to step in at some point whether it's due to injury or due to their skill set.

The Vikings may be interested in these types of players in the draft:
-Jordan Poyer CB (Oregon State), he has great closing burst and plays much more physical than his size. He can matchup against big receivers and has playmaker ability.
-Tyrann Mathieu aka Honey Badger CB (LSU), he is a huge playmaker who has had a checkered past. He plays very tough and will play up on the line, he can shut down wide receivers. His stock is rising after a great combine and could be a top 5 CB. He could be an Antoine Winfield replacement!
-Tharold Simon CB (LSU), this guy is a long armed corner who can make plays with his long frame. He will be a mid round pick 4-5 rd.
-Steve Williams CB (California), can you say "sleeper", this dude is a stud who has the quickness and speed to matchup with an NFL receiver. Yes, he is only 5-9 but this guy can still hit and make big time tackles. Projected to be drafted in 6-7th rd.
-Matt Elam SS (Florida), another Harrison Smith? Matt is a smaller guy at 5-10, but this little guy crushes people. He is that versatile SS the Vikings need as he can come up to the line and play in run support and also go back and cover. He loves the game and reminds me of a Troy Polamalu type player. He can be all over the field and will make offenses pay attention to where he is because he makes big time plays. Projected 1st-2nd round.

Overall the Vikings will try to add depth and another playmaker to take over Winfield's position in the near future and must try hitting these players in the draft. Most cornerbacks decline when they hit 30 years old, so most free agents are either getting close or are already there or just haven't proven they can play at a high level. I don't see the Vikings making a splash and paying big bucks in free agency. This is definitely an area we need to improve at because our division has top tier quarterbacks and wide receivers. Let's improve again in 2013!