Vikings 2013 look ahead: Secondary

The Vikings coaching staff and front office are in the process of fully evaluating their roster as they plan for the opening of free agency in March as well as April's NFL Draft. As General Manager Rick Spielman, head coach Leslie Frazier and their respective staffs put their heads together, the Access Vikings team is doing the same. We are in the middle of delivering snapshot evaluations of every position group. Today, we look at the defensive backfield.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Get excited: In his rookie season, safety Harrison Smith proved to be a legitimate difference maker. He was not only able to deliver the big hits on a regular basis but also frequently contributed the big play. Smith returned two interceptions for touchdowns – a 31-yarder against Arizona in Week 7 and a 56-yarder versus Chicago seven weeks later. Both of those pick-sixes came in 21-14 Vikings victories, in games in which Christian Ponder threw for fewer than 100 yards with the defense, consequentially, needing to deliver a game-changing play. Smith also had a hand in hand breaking up two passes that would have been Calvin Johnson touchdown catches in Week 4. The Vikings beat the Lions 20-13 in that game.

And just like that you can see how an upstart and hungry team saw its win total balloon to 10 in 2012. Quite simply, players like Smith delivered clutch contributions.

No, we're not classifying Smith as the next Ronnie Lott or Troy Polamalu. He had tackling lapses at times and still has plenty of room to continue developing. But what the Vikings loved most about Smith heading into last spring's draft – his knack for understanding the defense and routinely being in the right spot at the right time – showed up throughout the season.

For his size, Smith also moves with notable quickness and fluidity and he quickly earned the unabashed respect of the rest of the veterans on the defense.

Keep an eye on: When Chris Cook and Antoine Winfield are at full strength and on the field together, the Vikings' secondary has an added edge. Even at 35, Winfield showed he can still be an impact corner, extraordinary in run support and capable of steadying the secondary overall. And Cook seems to have all the physical tools to be a valuable outside starter for years to come.

Cook has missed 26 games in his first three NFL seasons with a broken arm sidelining him for six contests this past season. As much potential as he has, staying available has been a major problem to this point and something the Vikings will need to keep tabs on as Cook enters the final year of his rookie deal.

As for Winfield? Head coach Leslie Frazier has made it very clear he'd love to have Winfield back in the mix in 2013, wanting to utilize his intelligence and leadership in a young secondary for as long as possible.

Winfield is one of the most adored and respected veterans in the locker room. As safety Mistral Raymond said at season's end, "He's probably one of the most talented guys I've ever been around. He's smart. His heart is in it. Personally I hope he'll be here next year. I'm hoping he'll be here as long as he wants."

Following the playoff loss in Green Bay earlier this month, Winfield vowed to return for a 15^th NFL season. Still, even with that objective, you get the sense he hasn't fully locked in his commitment to give things one last go-'round.

"There are some things, of course, he wants to think about this offseason," Frazier said. "But all indications are he wants to give it another try."

And even for the progress safeties Jamarca Sanford and Raymond made, the Vikings will need greater production from both players in 2013. Otherwise, Robert Blanton may quickly climb the depth chart.