No. 47

Pick by The Daily Norseman Reggie Smith Safety Oklahoma

With their second choice (47th overall) in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected Oklahoma safety Reggie Smith.  Gonzo, head blogger at the Daily Norseman, made the selection and is here to discuss his rationale behind the pick:

  As I sat looking at the lists of available players, I tried to match the needs of the Beloved Purple up with the value that was left on the board.  After selecting Phillip Merling with our first selection, DE was a need we could take off the list.  The other needs that the team has would include offensive tackle (specifically ROT), wide receiver, tight end, and some secondary help.  With the selections going the way they have, I don't see an OT on the board that's currently worth taking at this spot.  The wide receivers and tight ends are also falling, and with two third round selections, the Vikings will be able to take advantage of that value there.

That leaves the secondary, and Oklahoma's do-everything defensive back Reggie Smith.  Smith projects in the NFL as a safety, and that's what he'll be groomed for by the Vikings.  With Darren Sharper not getting any younger, as well as being in the last year of his contract, it's very likely that Smith would spend the 2008 season in a nickel capacity, and possibly contributing to the return game.  Then, starting in 2009, he'll likely pair with new acquisition Madieu Williams to patrol the deep part of the field in the Vikings' Cover-2 defense.  If necessary, he can even play corner in a pinch when favorable matchups present themselves or injuries rear their heads.  Smith's size (6'1", 195), speed, versatility, ball skills, and willingness to step up and help the run defense make him a very good value pick here, and a good building block for the future of the Minnesota defense.
 
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

I wanted to hold off on analysis so I could see the Vikings reasoning for this pikc. The team just gave big money to Madieu Williams, so drafting another safety concerned me. I know who bad their pass defense was last year, and this pick is a very high value at 47. Smith can play corner or safety, and has the range to make plays. He's a very good athlete who could turn into an Ed Reed style playmaker. Minnesota got their defensive end in round one, they've filled another need here in round two.

Grade: A  ::  Reggie Smith Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1.  LB Shawn Crable, 2.  RB Jamaal Charles, 3.  WR Earl Bennett, 4.  TE Fred Davis, 5.  QB Chad Henne

The Atlanta Falcons, represented again by The Falcoholic, are on the clock... again.  Their fourth pick of this mock draft comes your way tomorrow morning at 10AM eastern.