PFF's All-PFF Team Honors Vikings Legends Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith
· Yahoo Sports
Two of the greatest players in Minnesota Vikings history have earned recognition among the NFL's elite after Pro Football Focus unveiled its All-PFF Team, ranking the best players at every position over the past 20 seasons.
Legendary running back Adrian Peterson was named the second-team running back, while longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith earned first-team honors as one of the two top safeties of the PFF era.
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© Matthew Emmons-Imagn ImagesPeterson was named PFF's second-team running back, finishing behind only Derrick Henry after a remarkably close race.
According to PFF, Peterson's résumé helped make him one of the premier running backs of the past two decades. The deciding factors ultimately came down to efficiency metrics, with Henry posting more yards after contact per carry with 3.6 to Peterson's 3.0, a higher avoided tackle rate, a better first-down rate and fewer fumbles. However, Peterson averaged more yards before contact per carry (1.6), showing the blocking he's had in front of him during his career.
Even with the second-team designation, Peterson's place on the All-PFF Team reinforces what Vikings fans witnessed throughout his legendary tenure in Minnesota. The 2012 MVP was just nine yards shy of the NFL's single-season rushing record after posting 2,097 yards that season. He was once one of the league's most dominant ball carriers, and will continue to be recognized as one of the premier running backs in football history.
© Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesWhile Peterson narrowly missed first-team honors, Harrison Smith was selected as one of PFF's first-team safeties.
PFF pointed to Smith's remarkable consistency over his career, noting that he is one of only five safeties during the PFF era to play more than 12,000 snaps while earning an overall grade above 90.0. He also posted grades above 92.0 in both run defense and coverage, showcasing the complete skill set that defined his career.
Smith's versatility ultimately helped separate him from his peers. PFF highlighted his effectiveness as a blitzer, as well as his impact in coverage and against the run, which is why he developed a reputation as one of football's most complete safeties during his 14 seasons with the Vikings.
Although Peterson fell just short of first-team honors, being ranked behind only Derrick Henry among every running back of the past 20 years further solidifies his place among the greatest ball carriers in the history of the game.
Meanwhile, Smith's first-team selection recognizes what Vikings fans witnessed throughout his career, which is one of the smartest, most versatile and consistently dominant safeties of his generation.