3 Vikings players who could be shocking cuts in 2021

Harrison Smith – S

Oddly enough, Harrison Smith might have the highest chance of being let go by the Vikings in 2021 of anyone on this list.

Smith will be 32-years-old by the end of the 2020 season and his current contract is about as favorable as it can get for Minnesota. The All-Pro safety has a cap hit of $10.25 million in 2021, but the Vikings can get all of that money back by releasing or trading him.

With the high level that Smith is still playing at right now, it wouldn’t be surprising if Minnesota attempted to trade him before straight-up releasing him. If he has another productive campaign in 2020, the Vikings might be able to convince someone to give them a third or fourth-round draft pick in exchange for his services.

Just like with Adam Thielen though, parting ways with Smith seems like it would take Minnesota being in a situation where they are desperate for cap space.

The veteran safety has been the face of the Vikings defense for almost his entire tenure with the franchise. If it were up to Smith, he would probably love to spend his entire career with Minnesota. But in the NFL, it usually doesn’t matter what the player desires.