It’s never too early to start looking at 2026 NFL Draft prospects. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may not be around to make the selection, but that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss the players themselves. The general manager discussion may come later, but for now, we’ll focus on any potential Vikings draft picks or players in the draft as a whole.
We’ll cover every position in the draft, but not all positions are necessarily a need for the Vikings. Of course, anything is possible for a team that, if not, gets picked up by the Vikings’ twice-yearly division rivals.
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In this report, we will discuss security. The team has the dynamic duo of Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus, but depending on how he’s dealt after Week 18, Smith may have played the final game of his career. So we want to make sure there are enough safeties available to see some players who could be future Vikings in 2026 and beyond.
With that in mind, here’s our coverage of Arizona’s Genesis Smith.
information
School: Arizona
Meeting: Big 12
Height/weight: 6-2/240 lbs.
Age at time of enlistment: not applicable
Previous school: without any
background
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2025 Big 12 Third Team
Noteworthy Statistics
Tackle: 164
Ways to deal with losses: 6.5
Interception: 5
By breaking up: 14
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Notable PFF Numbers in 2025
PFF running defense rating: 63
PFF Coverage Level: 88.5
Allowed completion percentage: 69.6
NFL quarterbacks when targeted: 91.4
Required penalty: 0
Skill
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Length and size appropriate for the location
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Has excellent range for reliable coverage and operational support
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Solid athletic skills and lower body skills to adapt to extended plays at receiver and quarterback
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Contains offense by being able to stay in coverage
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His skills are underrated as he tracks and attacks the ball in the air
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Genesis Smith is one of many talented players in the Arizona Wildcats’ 2025 sophomore class. Smith was used more to contain situations rather than being asked to play like the rest of this class. That being said, when he was tested in pass coverage, he performed very well against the team and was able to show decent range. Beyond coverage, his best performances may come when he attacks the line of scrimmage and provides run support. All in all, Smith doesn’t make a lot of crazy plays on film, but he projects to me that he’s a safe option if anyone needs help on the back end of the defense.
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This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
