​Two of the most storied figures in Minnesota Vikings history have earned spots among the NFL’s elite after Pro Football Focus released its All-PFF Team, which highlights the top players at every position over the past two decades. Legendary running back Adrian Peterson secured a spot on the second team at the running back position, while longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith earned a first-team nod as one of the top safeties of the PFF era. The recognition underscores the lasting impact both players had on the field and their enduring legacies in Minnesota football lore.
Peterson’s placement on the PFF second team comes after a fiercely competitive comparison with Derrick Henry, the consensus pinnacle at the running back position over the last 20 years. Peterson finished just behind Henry in the rankings, an outcome that speaks to his extraordinary peak and the sustained excellence he displayed during his tenure with the Vikings. PFF’s evaluation emphasized Peterson’s overall résumé, noting that his legacy is built not only on the eye-popping yardage but also on the efficiency metrics that define a complete back in modern football. In the head-to-head comparison with Henry, Henry posted higher yards after contact per carry (3.6 to Peterson’s 3.0) and boasted a higher avoided tackle rate, a better first-down percentage, and fewer fumbles. Yet Peterson held a clear edge in yards before contact per carry (1.6), a stat that reflects the blocking and running lanes he enjoyed throughout his career. Taken together, these metrics illustrate how Peterson’s greatness was a product of both his vision and the run-blocking schemes that supported him.
Even as Peterson settled for second-team recognition, his placement remains a testament to his status as one of the premier running backs of the past two decades. The 2012 NFL MVP rushed for 2,097 yards that season, coming within just nine yards of breaking the league’s single-season rushing record and leaving an indelible mark on the NFL record book. Vikings fans who witnessed Peterson’s grasp of the game know that his dominance was not a one-season marvel but a sustained, era-defining performance. His career stands as a benchmark for explosiveness, efficiency, and big-play ability, cementing his place among football’s all-time greats.
On the defensive side, Harrison Smith earned a first-team designation among safeties, highlighting his exceptional consistency and versatility. PFF highlighted Smith as one of only five safeties in the entire PFF era to log more than 12,000 snaps while maintaining an overall grade above 90.0. He posted run-defense and coverage grades above 92.0, underscoring his mastery of both pass support and run stopping. Smith’s ability to contribute in multiple ways — including his proficiency as a blitzer, his reliable coverage skills, and his effectiveness against the run — set him apart and contributed to a reputation as one of football’s most complete safeties over a 14-season span with the Vikings.
The contrast between Peterson’s near-first-team honor and Smith’s first-team selection illustrates the breadth of excellence that defined the Vikings’ success over the years. Peterson’s near-miss for the top running back spot reinforces how dominant he was among the best players at his position across the entire 20-year window, while Smith’s elevation to the first team reflects the durability, intelligence, and multifaceted impact that made him one of the smartest and most dependable players in the league. For Vikings fans and football historians alike, these recognitions offer a formal, data-driven validation of what many have long believed: Peterson and Smith were among the most influential players in Vikings history and among the most respected athletes in the entire NFL during the PFF era.
In summary, Pro Football Focus’s All-PFF Team places Adrian Peterson among the elite running backs of the last 20 years, just behind Derrick Henry in the running back ranking, a near-miss that nevertheless confirms Peterson’s standing as one of the greatest ball carriers of all time. Harrison Smith’s first-team safety honor reflects a career defined by versatility, consistency, and elite performance across multiple facets of the game, from coverage to run defense to blitzing. Together, the pair embodies the hallmark of Vikings greatness—a blend of explosive individual talent and enduring, selfless contributions that helped shape the franchise’s legacy in the modern NFL.