Minnesota Vikings player power rankings: Week 1 edition

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 28: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates catching an interception against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of the game on September 28, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Falcons 41-28. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Harrison Smith

Let’s be honest. Harrison Smith is the best safety in the NFL. While some players may be better statistically in some areas, the wide variety of things Smith can do at an extremely high level make him a player who can change the direction of a game right away.

The statistics won’t jump out right away, but when you combine 5 interceptions, 12 total passes defended, 1.5 sacks, and 78 total tackles, you get the idea of everything Smith does on the field for Mike Zimmer.

Zimmer really unlocked Smith’s potential, moving him around the field to create more opportunities for the safety as well as give other teams some different looks to attack.

Entering his 7th season in the NFL, he and Andrew Sendejo will be more than capable of securing the field by limiting big plays while forcing teams to want to keep the ball away from him because of his powerful hits. That’s one heck of a player to have on your team.

Just outside the top 10

Anthony Barr
Andrew Sendejo
Riley Reiff

Next. Breaking down the Vikings 53-man roster. dark

Who would be number one on your Minnesota Vikings player power rankings headed into week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers? And which players will be the fastest to move up the list this season? Let us know in the comments section below.

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