Minnesota got a lot younger this offseason, but the team still retained veterans who are among the best in the league. At least, according to NFL.com, they are.
NFL.com recently ranked the best 30 NFL players over 30, and the Vikings had two players crack the list: Kirk Cousins and Harrison Smith.
Cousins ranked 24th on the list. Here’s what the outlet said about the Vikings quarterback:
“The Vikings passer (who turns 32 in August) was the only quarterback last season who threw more than 50 percent of his touchdown passes off play-action (14 to 12) even though his play-action attempts accounted for just 32 percent of his total passes. I’m not suggesting Cousins isn’t a really good player — obviously that’s not the case because he’s on this list — but unlike the QBs ahead of him, he’s yet to prove he can consistently be the primary reason his team wins.”
Harrison Smith ranks 15th
Smith was the highest-ranked Vikings player on the list. Here’s what NFL.com said about the safety:
“The five-time Pro Bowler ranked among the best at his position when he was the nearest defender in coverage, totaling 11 passes defended while limiting opposing passers to a 50.3 rating. With Minnesota’s CB group high on potential, but light on experience, Smith will need to conjure up another all-star effort in 2020 for the Vikes to make a legit run.”
A lot will be asked of Smith this season, and as NFL.com stated, he will need to put together a very strong performance in 2020.
He’ll have Anthony Harris back deep as well, making for arguably the best safety duo in the NFL.
