Super early 22-man starter projections for the 2023 Vikings

Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson | Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
11 of 11

Starting Safeties

  • Harrison Smith

It's nice to see Harrison Smith return to the Minnesota Vikings for at least one more season. This will be season 12 in purple and gold for the six-time Pro Bowl defender but it might also be his final campaign for the team.

Smith played in 14 games last season, making 85 combined tackles and intercepting five passes while being a team leader and helping younger players become the best defensive backs they can be.

  • Camryn Bynum

This is the most up-in-the-air starting position. A healthy Lewis Cine may unseat Camryn Bynum as a starter but, as it stands, Bynum should have the leg up on the competition since he's the returning starter.

Bynum started all 17 regular season games last season, racking up 81 combined tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He will be 25 years old when the season rolls around, making him a good long-term option for the Vikings.

Schedule