When taking a look at the top overall PFF safety grades, we see a new name has joined the top five. Harrison Smith’s +5.4 overall grade only trails PFF regulars Eric Weddle and Earl Thomas.
After an up-and-down rookie year, Smith finished 2012 strong with a +6.5 overall grade, which was bolstered by a +10.5 coverage grade. Last year Smith finished at –4.6 in our grading, as he battled injuries and missed eight games total.
This season, Smith has made a positive impact in all areas defensively. He has been thrown at nine times and has allowed only four completions and has three pass knock-downs. In run defense (despite being “in the box” on only 43% of running plays) he has six stops in the run game and his 7.9% Run Stop Percentage ranks him 13th of all safeties. Additionally, the third-year safety, has even given the Vikings’ pass rush a boost. Smith has only rushed the passer seven times, but provided four total pressures including a sack.
Harrison Smith’s overall talent isn’t a secret. Maybe this is the year he stays healthy and continues to put it all together.
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