National Football League

Vikings move up for Notre Dame safety Smith

Published Apr. 27, 2012 12:06 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Minnesota Vikings have made another draft-day trade, moving up for a second first-round selection to take Notre Dame free safety Harrison Smith.

They made a deal with Baltimore to get Smith with the 29th spot on Thursday, giving the Ravens their second-round (35th overall) and fourth-round (98th overall) picks.

Like left tackle Matt Kalil, their first selection of the night, Smith will fill a glaring need at an important position. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound Smith was a four-year starter for the Fighting Irish who spent about one-third of his college career as an outside linebacker. All seven of his interceptions for Notre Dame came during his junior season.

The only other safeties currently on Minnesota's roster are returning starter Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond, Eric Frampton and Andrew Sendejo.