MINNEAPOLIS -- One of the Minnesota Vikings' two safety positions -- the one occupied by Harrison Smith -- has been a bulwark for the team's defense over the last four years, and now that the Vikings gave Smith a five-year, $51.25 million contract last week, they can rest knowing the spot is likely settled as long as Smith is healthy.
The Vikings' search for Smith's counterpart, however, has become almost a rite of summer. They've tried options next to Smith in all shapes and sizes, from veterans lured out of retirement to draft picks the team has tried to develop for the role.