The Minnesota Vikings have made their second first-round pick of the 2012 NFL draft, and it’s Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith.
The Vikings traded up with the Ravens for the pick to select Smith, and between Smith and fourth overall pick Matt Kalil, the Vikings have to be very pleased with what they’ve been able to accomplish tonight: They have a new starter on offense and a new starter on defense.
Prior to the draft, Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome said he had been discussing trades with a few different teams, and it turned out that the Ravens liked what the Vikings offered: Minnesota gave up its second-round pick, No. 35 overall, as well as a fourth-round pick, No. 98 overall, to get the 29th pick and get Smith.
Smith is known as a good tackler, a physical player who’s capable of stopping the run in the box, and a player who’s good in pass coverage as well. He’s a defensive difference maker the Vikings will be happy to have.
