EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — First-round draft choice Harrison Smith has been at Winter Park this week participating in the Minnesota Vikings' organized team activities.
Now the rookie safety has a full-fledged professional contract to pay him for his services. According to multiple reports, Smith, the No. 29 overall pick in April's draft, has signed a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year. NFL.com is reporting the deal is worth $7.1 million, with $6 million guaranteed. Defensive end Nick Perry was selected by the Green Bay Packers at No. 28 and signed a four-year, $7.5 million deal.
Smith's signing leaves only left tackle Matt Kalil (drafted No. 4 overall) and third-round cornerback Josh Robinson unsigned in Minnesota's 10-player draft class.
Per the new collective bargaining agreement, all draft picks are required to sign four-year contracts, but first-round picks are able to have a fifth-year option added to the deal. The Vikings traded a second-round pick (35th overall) and a fourth-rounder (No. 98) for the right to jump back into the late first round to select Smith, who is expected to start at free safety for Minnesota.
The 6-foot-2, 214-pound Smith finished his four years at Notre Dame with 309 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven interceptions and 28 passes broken up. He ran a 4.58-second 40 at the Combine and bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times.
Smith is currently penciled in alongside strong safety Jamarca Sanford in the Vikings' defense. Fifth-round pick and fellow Irish alum Robert Blanton might have a chance to earn a starting spot alongside Smith in Minnesota's revamped secondary.
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